Access to information legislation for Lebanon seems to getting more attention in the parliament and the bill’s advocates are scheduled to meet with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri Oct. 8.
Debate on ATI was held Oct. 3 in Parliament, according to an article in The Daily Star. An agreement was reached that a subcommittee will be appointed to review a bill drafted in 2009.
Member of Parliament Robert Ghanem put the issue on the agenda of the Administration and Justice Committee. MP Ghassan Moukheiber, chairman of the bill’s drafting committee, was quoted as saying that the initial response within Parliament had been positive.
“There are details that might be discussed, like any bill,” he said, according to the article, continuing, “But I think there is a general understanding that there is a need for this.”
Imad Mhanna of the Lebanese Transparency Association was quoted as saying that the law would provide journalists with better tools to investigate public bodies. “It’s a big problem right now. Even if you want the most basic information and documents it’s very hard not to resort to bribery and corruption,” he said. As a result, he said, “most of the information is window-dressed, it’s manipulated and not totally credible.”
“Every democratic and developed country has an access to information law, so if we want Lebanon to move in that direction we need this,” he added.
The National Network for the Right to Access Information has recently increased its efforts to get a law passed.
The Lebanese Transparency Association recently conducted a series of activities in order to make the case for a law. The association is conducting an ATI awareness survey, ATI training for journalists, and developing a new website. A conference included a number of MPs along with representatives from various civil society organizations.
The ATI coalition is also demanding a meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament “Nabih Berry” on the same date in order to discuss the draft law.
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