What’s New
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14 October 2011
Rehman Offers RTI Bill in Pakistan National Assembly
Member of Parliament Sherry Rehman Oct. 11 introduced a right to information bill in the Pakistan National Assembly. Her bill, however, does not yet have the support of the government. The government “did not oppose the private member’s bill,” noted one newspaper report. “It is ironic that it has been tabled as a private member’s […]
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14 October 2011
Government FOI Proposal in Bahamas Prompts Criticisms
A recent freedom of information proposal by the government of the Bahamas is generating criticism as too weak. Member of Parliament Fred Mitchell told The Tribune that the bill introduced Oct. 5 gives the government too much power over requests for information and limits judicial review. “The Commissioner for Information can’t overrule the Minister’s certificate […]
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13 October 2011
Zambian Government Pledges to Offer FOI Legislation
The government of Zambia will soon propose a freedom of information law, according to officials. Vice President Guy Scott on Oct. 7 told journalists that the Patriotic Front government will table a bill before Parliament within 90 days, according to several news reports, in The Times of Zambia and The Lusaka Times. Scott was quoted […]
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13 October 2011
FOI Notes: Studies, Maps, Music, Photos
Latin America: Alianza Regional has issued a regional report called “Saber Más III” regarding access to public information and protection of personal data. The report (in Spanish) explains the relationship and coexistence of access to public information and ensuring the protection of personal data. Fourteen countries participated in creating this report, represented by member organizations […]
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13 October 2011
Irish Commissioner Applies EU Rule to Nationalized Bank
The Irish Commissioner of Environmental Information has ruled that the nationalized Anglo Irish Bank must respond to requests for information relating to the environment. The bank, nationalized in 2009, meets the criteria for a “public authority,” under the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations (2007), according to a decision by Commissioner Emily […]
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12 October 2011
Indian CIC Takes Steps to Stem Attacks on RTI Users
The Indian Central Information Commission has adopted a potential deterrent to attacks on users of the right to information law. The CIC announced it will react to assaults on RTI activists by pressing government agencies to promptly release all the requested materials. The Commission also said it will keep track of investigations into attacks. Estimates […]
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11 October 2011
The Outsourcing of Federal FOIA Services
By Clara Hogan Reprinted by permission of the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press, a U.S. nonprofit organization which published this article Sept. 7. Your federal Freedom of Information Act request may not actually be processed by a government employee. With pressure for increased transparency from the Obama administration, many federal agencies, including […]
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6 October 2011
Banisar Outlines Global FOI Challenges in ICIC Closing
Many of the future challenges for freedom of information are on the global stage, stated David Banisar, senior legal counsel of Article 19, in the final speech at the 7th International Conference of Information Commissioners in Ottawa, Canada. The agenda should include pushing for more information in the environmental context, transparency at the United Nations […]
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6 October 2011
Views on Open Data Contrast During ICIC Sessions
The sometimes discordant relationship between traditional advocates of freedom of information and the champions of open data was on display during several sessions Oct. 5 at the 7th International Conference of Information Commissioners in Ottawa, Canada. One Canadian open data advocate called reforming FOI laws a low priority. FOI traditionalists, while supported the release of […]
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5 October 2011
Info Commissioners Approve Resolution on Transparency
Information commissioners from around the world Oct. 5 approved a resolution supporting expansion of right to information laws and supportive of the Open Government Declaration issued Sept. 20 in connection with launch of the Open Government Partnership. The commissioners, however, dropped a proposed line urging countries to join the Open Government Partnership. The explicit endorsement […]
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5 October 2011
RTI Evaluations Described at October Ottawa Conference
Several evaluations of right to information laws were discussed at a session Oct. 5 at the 7th International Conference of Information Commissioners in Ottawa, Canada. Toby Mendel, executive director of the Centre for Law and Democracy, presented the Right to Information Rating (See previous FreedomInfo.org report) and the ratings from the six question campaign (See […]
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5 October 2011
Singh Cautions That RTI Can Unleash Powerful Forces
Shekhar Singh, of the National Campaign for People’s Rights, described the successes and challenges of the right to information law in India and cautioned that RTI can unleash unexpected forces that could have undemocratic consequences. He spoke Oct. 5 at the 7th International Conference of Information Commissioners in Ottawa, Canada. First discussing the success of […]
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4 October 2011
WikiLeaks Is Topic for Panel at Ottawa ICIC Meeting
The significance of WikiLeaks was discussed Oct. 4 by a panel at the 7th International Conference of Information Commissioners. WikiLeaks has not turned out to be a game-changer in terms of transparency for four main reasons, according to Alasdair Roberts, Rappaport Professor of Law and Public Policy, Suffolk University (US). “A year ago we did […]
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4 October 2011
Business Value of Information Discussed at ICIC Session
The potential for the business community to be an ally for freedom of information, the financial case for transparency, and innovative efforts to disseminate legal information were the topics of three talks Oct. 4 at the 7th International Conference of Information Commissioners in Ottawa. The speakers appeared on a panel titled “Access to economic growth: […]
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4 October 2011
Strategies for Access Offered at ICIC Session in Ottawa
Various strategies for advancing access to information were discussed during one session Oct. 4 at the 7th International Conference on Information Commissioners in Ottawa. The list of ideas for nongovernmental groups to use was offered along and the utility of various human rights arguments to obtain information also was explored. Nathalie Des Rosier, general counsel […]
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4 October 2011
Few Requests for Information Answered, Global Study Says
Only one out of four requests for budget information made in 80 countries were fully answered, according to a study released Oct. 4. The monitoring effort was done by the Ask Your Government! 6 Question Campaign. 480 requests for budget information were submitted in 80 countries by a global network of civil society organizations. “No […]
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4 October 2011
Info Commissioners Consider Resolution on Transparency
Information commissioners from around the world gathered in Ottawa, Canada, are considering adoption of a resolution supporting expansion of right to information laws. The resolution also urges countries to join the Open Government Partnership. The five-paragraph resolution was proposed by the German, Berlin and Slovenian commissioners. It is open for signature by the several dozen […]
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3 October 2011
Getting Ukrainians to Use Their Right to Information
By Dmytro Derkach Derkach is a communications officer with the World Bank Office in Ukraine. This article appeared first on the Bank website CommGap. The Ukrainian Law on Access to Public Information came into force on May 9, 2011. Before this new law was adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament, international bodies had described the effective […]
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30 September 2011
Some Ineligible OGP Countries Ask How to Join
Countries who do not currently qualify for membership in the Open Government Partnership have been asking how they could get in the door. Botswana, Mauritius and Tunisia are among a half dozen ineligible countries that have expressed an interest, according to Caroline Maudlin, Special Assistant to the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Democracy and […]
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30 September 2011
Egyptian Group Proposes Draft FOI Law for Country
The Egyptian human rights law firm the United Group on Sept. 28 released a draft of a proposed law on freedom of information for Egypt. “Freedom of information is essential to democracy, and Egypt will not be truly democratic until freedom of information is guaranteed,” said United Group Senior Partner Negad El-Borai at a press […]