What’s New
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28 January 2011
English Version Available of New Ukrainian Access Law
An unofficial English translation of the new Ukrainian law on access to public information has been circulated among groups following the law. The translation is of bill No. 2763, “On the Access to Public Information,” that was adopted by the Rada on Jan. 13. (See previous Freedominfo.org report.) Still in process is a translation of […]
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28 January 2011
Scotland Decides Against Extending Scope of FOIA
The Scottish government Jan. 26 said it had decided against making certain private entities that perform public functions subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Calling such the extension idea “premature,” the government cited opposition from the contractors and their representative bodies as a key factor behind their decision, but acknowledged “near universal support” from […]
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24 January 2011
Pakistani Official Says FOI Proposal Nearing Completion
A top Pakistani official said Jan. 22 that that a draft right to information bill would be finalized by mid-February, according to a press account. Speaking at a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, said consultations with stakeholders are nearly concluded. […]
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24 January 2011
OAS Finalizes Model FOI Law
The Organization of American States has taken the last step in the approval process for a model freedom of information law. The OAS General Assembly approved a resolution on the text of the model law in June 2010 and requested a meeting at which the states could present final changes in December. Since no changes […]
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21 January 2011
South African Parliament Restarts Work on POIB
A South African Parliament committee in the week of Jan. 17 held three meetings to continue its work on the controversial Protection of Information Bill. The committee is expected to keep deliberating on the measure throughout January, and perhaps longer. Although no concrete steps were taken during the three days of discussion, there was considerable […]
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21 January 2011
FOI Notes: India, Latin America, Open Data
India: The Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Parishad right to information helpline, which was launched in May 2006 and has received more than 60,000 calls, has won a special award for its contribution to RTI activism from People’s Union for Civil Liberties ( PUCL). See media report here. FOI Map of Latin America: This interactive map about […]
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21 January 2011
Tanzanian Official Pledges Action on FOI Legislation
The Tanzanian government wants to pass a freedom of information law, according to a top official quoted in the media. “The government will do everything possible to make sure that the bill is enacted and implemented accordingly,” the Minister of Information and Culture, Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi told media stakeholders in Dar es Salaam Jan. 19, […]
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20 January 2011
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Corporate Privacy Case
The argument that corporations have a right of personal privacy under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act was not received well by the U.S. Supreme Court during oral argument Jan. 19, according to virtually all reports. According to the New York Times account, “The claim that corporations have personal privacy rights met with widespread skepticism on […]
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19 January 2011
Ghana Coalition Protests Lack of Action on RTI Legislation
Ghana’s Right to Information Coalition on Jan. 19 staged a march to government offices to protest the lack of action by Parliament on pending freedom of information legislation, according to news reports on myjoyonline.com and businessghana.com. More than 1,000 coalition members went to the Ministry of Information, carrying signs reading: “RTI will promote democracy, RTI is […]
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19 January 2011
Groups Urge EU Parliament to Amend EC Access Proposal
The European Union Parliament should amend the European Commission’s proposed amendments to Regulation (EC) 1049/2001 regarding access to documents held by EU institutions, according to a letter signed by more than 100 civil society groups, circulated by Access Info Europe. “The proposal would restrict access most notably by creating a narrower definition of what constitutes […]
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17 January 2011
Nigerian House Member Pledges Action on FOI Bill
A key Nigerian legislator has promised to move forward with freedom of information legislation, according to media accounts. In related developments, Nigerian editors urged passage of a FOI law and a top government minister spoke out for FOI and media reform at a regional conference. The chairman of the House Committee on Information, Ahmed Aliu […]
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17 January 2011
South African Parliament to Resume Work on POIB
A committee of the South African parliament on Feb. 18 will continue its deliberations on the proposed Protection of Information Bill. Despite the deletion of some controversial provisions, the opposition led by The Right2Know Campaign is seeking further changes to the bill proposed by the government. One continuing concern is the breadth of the definition […]
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14 January 2011
Ukraine Parliament Adopts Access to Information Law
Ukraine’s parliament Jan. 13 easily adopted new two new laws on access to public information. The bills got 412 and 408 votes, well above the 226 votes necessary for approval. The new laws, expected to be signed by President Viktor Yanukovych, mandate that public officials voluntarily disclose information while also establishing a system for requesting information, […]
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14 January 2011
Argentine’s Access to Information Law: A Tale of Two Chambers
By Natalia Torres Senior Researcher, Center for Studies of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information In 2003, the Argentinean House of Representative endorsed a bill on access to information law. In accordance with our bicameral system, the bill was sent to the Senate for revision. During this revision process, the Senate committees modified the […]
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14 January 2011
FOI Notes: EU Case Summary, US FOI Day
European Union: New Statewatch Analysis: Case Law Summary: EU access to documents Regulation (142 pages, small pdf). Prepared by Steve Peers, Professor of Law, University of Essex. United States: Transparency groups announce plans for Freedom of Information Day March 16 in Washington, D.C.
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7 January 2011
President of El Salvador Returns Access Bill
The president of El Salvador has returned to the Legislative Assembly an access to information bill passed in early December (See previous Freedominfo.org report). President Mauricio Funes made seven points about the bill in his Jan. 5 return message seeking changes in the bill (His message in Spanish). Among other things, he suggested clarification concerning […]
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7 January 2011
UK Government Proposes to Broaden Scope of FOI Law
The British government Jan. 7 proposed reforms to the United Kingdom freedom of information law that would extend its scope to more organizations and hasten the release of archived material. The proposed amendments also would enhance the independence of the Information Commissioner’s Office. Added protection would be given to information relating to the Royal Family, […]
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7 January 2011
FOI NOTES: Video From Mexico; Aid Transparency
Mexico: A new video documentary on FOI in Mexico has just been released, entitled ¿Qué Pasó con mi Dinero? / What happened to my Money? Spanish version, here: http://www.fundar.org.mx/indicepresupuestoabierto2010/index.html Version with English subtitles, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTZSt25if4E&feature=related United States: The new U.S. effort to put out more information about aid flows is discussed on the Aid Watchers […]