What’s New
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3 November 2016
RTI Bill in Ghana Advances; But Last-Minute Issues Arise
A right to information bill passed on second reading Oct. 27 by the Ghana parliament, bringing it closer than ever to passage. But as FreedomInfo.org publishes at 1:00 p.m. EST Nov. 3, the bill still faced difficulties getting final approval on the last day of the session. “The opposition raised unnecessary issues with some clauses […]
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3 November 2016
FOI Notes: 1766 History, Country News, Commentary
FOI History: The Forsskal website announces a new translation, by Ian Giles and Peter Graves, of the 1766 Swedish/Finish royal ordinance “Regarding the Freedom of Writing and of the Press.” The key provision: Furthermore, the printing of all judgments and decisions, resolutions, rescripts, instructions, constitutions, rules and privileges will be permissible, with more of the […]
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27 October 2016
FOI Notes: Open Washing, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Seychelles, Lagos, Philippines, India, US, Nepal, Jamaica, New Zealand
Open Washing: A Web Foundation blog post on open washing and an inconclusive working group discussion on what to do about it. One paragraph: We discussed the importance of enforcing legal frameworks, beyond having existing ones in place. It is about the right to data, the right to information, and ultimately, the right to know […]
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20 October 2016
Ghana AG Reintroduces RTI Bill Including Amendments
In a move that may improve the chances for passage of a right to information bill in Ghana, Attorney General Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong has introduced a bill that includes all the proposed amendments. The large number of pending amendments had been cited as one reason for Parliament’s slow progress on the bill. along with doubts […]
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20 October 2016
FOI Notes: UN Report, Transparency Research, Many Country Reports
Freedom of Expression: “There is no question that governments worldwide are wielding the tools of censorship,” warns the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, in a new report. One section is titled “Undermining the right to information.” It says: National security is also used to justify excluding information […]
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13 October 2016
FOI Notes: Zambia, Nigeria, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Denmark, Open Data, Privacy, Transparency Research, Contest, US
Zambia: The Civil Society Coalition on Access to Information Law urges speeding up the process of enacting an access to information law despite the failed referendum on the Bill of Rights, reports The Lusaka Times. Nigeria: Right to Know Nigeria reports widespread non-compliance with the 2011 FOIA, issuing a report stating that “ministries, departments and […]
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5 October 2016
FOI Community Invited to Comment on SDG 16.10
The freedom of information community has been asked to weigh in on how to measure the implementation of FOI laws. The answers will inform decision on what benchmarks will be used to determine whether countries are making progress toward achieving the access to information provision in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The process for soliciting […]
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5 October 2016
FOI Notes: US, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Pakistan
United States: The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has launched a beta of the FOIA Wiki, a collaborative and evolving digital resource on the federal Freedom of Information Act. “The FOIA Wiki is part legal guide, part community space for sharing information that aims to serve as a central hub on all manner […]
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29 September 2016
FOI Notes: New Reports, Country News, 27 Items
Latin America: The Regional Alliance for Free Expression and Information issues a comprehensive report, Sabar Mas VIII, (in Spanish) on the progress, challenges and opportunities concerning access to information across Latin America. Southern Africa: IFEX releases a report with national evaluations prepared by MISA Chapters in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Each […]
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28 September 2016
Success Stories Worldwide From FOI/RTK/ATI Requests
By Toby McIntosh All around the world, very real benefits result when legal tools are used to obtain government information. Because there are so many frustrations for those who seek information, it’s sometimes easy to overlook the positive benefits. FOI reform advocates need to document and celebrate the victories. FreedomInfo.org has assembled dozens of recent success stories. Please […]
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28 September 2016
Mexican Law Rates at Top According to New RTI Ratings
The amendments to Mexico’s freedom of information law have made it the best access law in the world, according to the RTI Rating, a comparative assessment of national legal frameworks for the right to information done by the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD) and Access Info Europe. The changes gave Mexico 136 points out […]
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27 September 2016
FOI Notes: Latin America, Sweden/Finland, India, Venezuela, Australia, Scotland, India, Malaysia, Tunisia, Israel
Venezuela: A report by Espacio Publico describes a series of requests for information to state agencies and encourages more requests. Transparency Venezuela holds events on access to information. Venezuela, along with Bolivia, are the only countries in the continent that does not have legislation regulating the right to access information held by the state.. “Join […]
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26 September 2016
Pakistani Minister Pledges to Bring ATI Bill to Cabinet
Pakistan’s Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid has promised yet again that an access to Information bill will be presented to cabinet for approval very soon. His pledge came to reporters after a ceremony in Islamabad on Sept. 26, as reported by APP. Similar pledges of Cabinet consideration were made in July and August. He said the […]
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26 September 2016
Ghana’s President Backs Passage of RTI Legislation
Ghana’s president John Dramani Mahama Sept. 26 reiterated his support for passage of a right to information bill pending on Parliament, but added, “I don’t know where it is.” “I believe it is something we should complete and make available so that people can have a legal basis for demanding information if there is reluctance […]
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22 September 2016
OGP Celebrates Anniversary; Turkey Declared Inactive
The Open Government Partnership celebrated its fifth anniversary in New York City Sept. 20 with messages about past accomplishments and future challenges, including a tilt toward addressing climate change. Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Pradhan listed three main points: – First, we need deeper co-creation and civic participation. – Second, we need OGP governments and CSOs […]
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22 September 2016
FOI Notes: EU, Holland, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, India, US, Tanzania, Aid Transparency, Budget Transparency, Open Data, Namibia, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Gambia, Transparency Research
EU: Moldova has ratified the 2009 Convention on Access to Official Documents, brining to nine the number of other ratifications to bring it into force. Armenia is expected to ratify it soon. Holland: Open State Foundation sends an open letter to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and party leaders in the Dutch parliament urging creation […]
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15 September 2016
FOI Notes: India, FOI Comics, Open Data/Africa, Nigeria, Australia, US
India: The Central Information Commission compiles a “frequently asked questions” list for 70 central ministries. “The Commission is now sitting down with each ministry to brief them on how to proactively disclose information on their websites on these subjects so that fewer applicants file requests under Right to Information (RTI) Act,” reports The Economic Times. […]
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15 September 2016
Argentina Approves FOI Bill; Senate Changes Rejected
Argentina will have a freedom of information law (text) as the result of a 182-16 vote Sept. 14 in the Chamber of Deputies. The House passed its original version, using a two-thirds majority to discard the Senate version, according to reports (in Spanish) in La Nation, Chequeado, Parliamentario, Urgente24, Clarinx, The chairman of the Committee on Constitutional […]
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14 September 2016
OGP to Celebrate Fifth, Discuss Strategic Goals
The Open Government Partnership Steering Committee faces a large agenda for its upcoming meeting in New York City on the occasion of the OGP’s fifth anniversary. The Steering Committee is slated to continue its “strategic refresh” discussions, discuss a new trust fund and review “co-creation” guidance, among other things, according to a pre-meeting packet of […]
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9 September 2016
Argentina’s Senate Removes State Firms From FOI Bill
The Argentinian Senate on Sept. 7 approved an access to information law, 44-15, but only after deleting a provision applying it to state-majority-owned companies (YPF). The change forced by a coalition of opposition parties means that the bill will be returned for reconsideration to the Chamber of Deputies, where it was approved almost unanimously. (See […]