What’s New
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27 August 2010
FOIA Notes: A Bibliography, Snapshot of World FOIA
A new bibliography of academic resources on FOI law has just been released on FOIAnet. It was compiled by Ben Worthy, Research Associate, Constitution Unit, Department of Political Science, University College London, along with Lydia Medland, the Project Coordinator at Access Info Europe. They are not trying to list every piece of FOI work, but […]
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27 August 2010
Malaysian Journalists Seek National FOIA Law
The Centre of Independent Journalism (CIJ) in Malaysia has urged adoption of a national Freedom of Information law and also has criticized a proposed state law for Selangor. Centre Executive Director Gayathry Venkiteswaran, speaking at a forum Aug. 12 in Kuala Lumpur, said that a Freedom of Information Act would allow Malaysian citizens to keep […]
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24 August 2010
Four Hearings on Draft FOIA Law Held in Kazakhstan
Four public hearings were held in Kazakhstan during August as part of an effort to develop a Freedom of Information law. A conference to discuss the draft law is planned for Sept. 24 in Astana after the next draft is made public. The effort has support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the […]
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20 August 2010
Slovak Government Backs Transparency for Contracts
By Emília Si?áková-Beblavá The new Slovak government, formed in June 2010, has declared since its formation that the fight against corruption to be its priority. This issue can be found among the first points of the Government Declaration of the Slovak Republic. The government pronounced effective use of public finances and the fight against corruption […]
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20 August 2010
FOIA Notes: Ireland, Canada, Bangladesh
Articles in the Open Government Journal on developments in Ireland, Bangladesh, Canada and Minnesota, and a request to support the magazine. Also, the International Press Institute issues a report on disclosure issues for journalists who cover international financial institutions. Journalists Face Difficulties, IPI Says Journalists face serious challenges trying to access information on corruption in […]
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20 August 2010
FOIA Prospects in Nigeria Called Grim
“The prospects for a Freedom of Information Act under the present government in Nigeria look grim, unless we can take decisive action to rescue the situation,” Media Rights Agenda Executive Director Edetaen Ojo told a conference in Lagos, according to a newspaper report. The distraction of the coming elections is a problem, he […]
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19 August 2010
Spain Drafting New Transparency Law
The Spanish government is commencing work on a “Transparency and Access to Information Law,” an initiative signaled by a leak to the media. The draft, a copy if which is still unavailable, was quickly criticized as inadequate. The public learned of the proposal Aug. 16, when the Spanish Daily El País reported a few details and said that […]
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13 August 2010
Uruguay Issues Regulations on Public Information Law
The Uruguay government has published a decree regulating the use of the Law on Access to Public Information (Law 18.381), according to newspaper stories and a report by the Knight Center. The Archives and Access to Public Information Center launched a campaign, “Make Your Own Request.” The Knight Center wrote: According to the decree, whenever public […]
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13 August 2010
FOI Notes: New Publications
Several new publications of possible interest — on Latin America, transparency and secrecy, Ireland, and whether to be nice or nasty when making FOI requests. FOI in Latin America Greg Michener’s extensive history of the FOI movement in Latin America, his dissertation, is available on his website. He defended his dissertation at the University of […]
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13 August 2010
Campaign Grows Against SA Information Bill
Critics of a proposed South African law on access to information are ramping up their campaign as parliamentary consideration is slightly delayed. More than 100 national and international groups have signed on to a letter being circulated in protest of the bill proposed by the ruling African National Congress. Progress on the initiative, and the […]
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6 August 2010
Afghan Media, Civil Society Urge Introduction of FOI Bill
Media and civil society organizations in Afghanistan are pushing for passage of a freedom of information law. The groups issued a statement July 18 arguing for such a bill and proposing what should be in it. They asked for legislation that would: Ensure the right to information that is either held by or under the […]
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6 August 2010
Scotland Considers Expanding FOIA Jurisdiction
Whether private organizations that perform public functions should be made subject to the Freedom of Information law is being examined in Scotland. The Scottish government is considering broadening the scope of the law to include private sector firms which run prisons, schools and hospitals, according to the U.K. Press Association article and an account in […]
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5 August 2010
FOI Notes: New Research, New FOIANet Leaders
The World Bank Institute has issued three working papers on Freedom of Information topics. Proactive Transparency: The future of the right to information? A review of standards, challenges, and opportunities, by Helen Darbishire, Access Info Europe This paper on “proactive disclosure” of information (disclosure of information by public bodies without request by the public) highlights its […]
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4 August 2010
Bangladeshi Commissioner Supports Wider Coverage
Bangladesh’s Chief Information Commissioner, Muhammad Zamir, has called for extending the 2009 Right to Know Act to cover all corporations. “Most of the corporate companies and giant financial institutions in the country remain out of the jurisdiction of the act. But people have the right to know about their activities and financial dealings. So the […]
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29 July 2010
Bermuda Adopts FOI Law
Bermuda has approved a Freedom of Information law, according to news reports. Premier Ewart Brown said an Information Commissioner would be appointed by the end of December and that the new law will be implemented within two to three years. Passage in Parliament July 23 culminated a multi-year effort that began in earnest around 2004. “Today […]
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27 July 2010
South Africa Mulls ‘Protection of Information Bill’
A government-proposed “Protection of Information Bill” that would prevent the disclosure of information deemed harmful to the “national interest” is being condemned by the media and civil society groups, according to newspaper accounts. The bill will also limit disclosure of state-held commercial information about tender proceedings and the activities of state-owned enterprises. It would establish […]
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23 July 2010
Venezuelan Court Denies Access to Salary Info
The Venezuelan Supreme Court July 15 said that disclosure of the salaries of public officials would violate their privacy and that requestors must justify their requests. The court denied a request by Asociación Espacio Público for the salaries of officials in the Office of the Comptroller General. The court said there is not absolute right […]
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23 July 2010
Selangor Advances FOI Law
The state of Selangor in Malaysia has taken a further step toward adopting a Freedom of Information law. The House has approved the bill on first reading. The process to final passage is a long one, however. Second passage also is expected this summer, which would set up a public consultation period including research and […]
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22 July 2010
Liberian House Passes FOI Law
The Liberian House of Representatives on July 22 passed a Freedom of Information bill, forwarding it to the Senate for consideration. The House unanimously approved the bill, which has been under consideration for over two years. Lobbying for the bill were the Liberia Freedom of Expression Coalition, the Liberia Media Law and Policy Reform Working […]
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20 July 2010
U.S. Law Orders Extractive Industries to Disclose
A new law in the United States will require oil, gas, and mining companies to disclose their payments to foreign governments and the U.S. government. Added to the financial regulatory reform bill is a provision that will require the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to write within nine months mandating disclosure of payments in their […]