Posts Tagged ‘rti amendments’
-
6 July 2012
New Cypriot Presidency in EU Signals Interest in Access
The new Cypriot presidency of the European Union has held meetings on access to information, showing interest in continuing work on the controversial topic, according to a person close the situation. The possible revival comes after the June demise of the Danish presidency’s attempt to broker a compromise. The last gasp of the Danish effort […]
-
6 July 2012
Canadian Commissioner Plans to Review 1982 Access Law
Canadian Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault July 6 said her office will conduct a major review of Canada’s Access to Information Act. Her announcement came on the 30th anniversary of the act, which she said is showing its age. Canada “was a trailblazer in government transparency three decades ago,” according to the press release, but today […]
-
29 June 2012
UK Issues White Paper on Open Data, FOIA
The United Kingdom on June 28 issued an Open Data White Paper detailing plans for publishing government data, including some mentions of the freedom of information law that led several observers to predict higher fees. While not proposing any changes to the FOI law at this time, the White Paper said that an expanded Code […]
-
25 June 2012
Azerbaijan Moves to Restrict Access to Corporate Data
The Azerbaijan parliament has voted to “considerably” restrict access to corporate information, in the words of one transparency activist there. Parliament June 12 adopted amendments that will curtail public access to information about the ownership of commercial entities, the amount of their charter capital, ownership structure, and other similar data, according to reports on the […]
-
15 June 2012
Work on Secrecy Bill Delayed in South Africa Over Dispute
Passage of the so-called secrecy bill in South Africa has been delayed amid what observers describe as disagreement within the ruling African National Committee. In addition, more international criticism of this bill surfaced this week. The National Council of Provinces ad hoc committee reviewing the Protection of State Information Bill on June 13 cancelled further […]
-
8 June 2012
Scottish FOI Amendments Criticized as Too Narrow
The Scottish government has proposed freedom of information law amendments that FOI activists say fall short. Carole Ewart, co-convener of Campaign for Freedom of Information Scotland, wrote in reaction that it is “what isn’t in the bill that is the problem” and called it “a wasted opportunity.” She said more quasi-governmental bodies need to be […]
-
1 June 2012
Indian Sports Minister Asks CIC to Open Cricket Board
Indian Sports Minister Ajay Maken has taken his campaign to bring the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) under the purview of the Right to Information Act to the Central Information Commission, according to media reports. “We have appealed to the CIC,” he told reporters May 31, according to The Times of India and The Hindu. It is not […]
-
18 May 2012
UK Cabinet Vetoes Release of Sensitive Risk Report
A major FOI controversy ensued in the United Kingdom after the cabinet vetoed the release of an assessment of risks of the government’s health system reforms. The decision overruled an order from Information Commissioner Christopher Graham to publish the National Health Service risk register. Graham protested the decision, saying that “none of the criteria for […]
-
11 May 2012
EU Ministers Threaten Access to Information
By Helen Darbishire Darbishire is Executive Director of Access Info Europe. The threat that the right of access to information from European Union bodies will be reduced moved a step closer to reality May 10 when the 27 Member States approved a document from the Danish EU Presidency which would add broad exceptions to the […]
-
11 May 2012
UK Protection of Freedoms Act Makes Changes in FOI
By Paul Gibbons This article first appeared in FOIManUK on May 10, Gibbon’s blog, and is reprinted with permission. The Protection of Freedoms Act came into force on 1 May 2012. Amongst its many implications are those for the Freedom of Information Act (though we still await a commencement order in respect of these provisions, […]
-
7 May 2012
More Fees, Discretion to Refuse FOI Requests Recommended In Australia
By Avinesh Chand and Barry Dunphy This article appeared April 26 on the blog of the Australian Clayton Utz law firm and is reprinted with permission. Key Points: Agencies could have greater discretion to refuse freedom of information requests, and charge more fees – but applicants would get a cheaper alternative to FOI If recent […]
-
2 March 2012
UK Panel Holds Two Hearings on FOIA Reform
A British parliamentary committee on Feb. 28 held a second public hearing on possible changes to the Freedom of Information Act. The Campaign for Freedom of Information gave oral evidence at the first Justice Select Committee’s first evidence session along with WhatDoTheyKnow and Unlock Democracy. Journalists predominated at the second session. In another UK development, […]
-
22 February 2012
Indian Committee Displeased With Nuclear RTI Exemption
A proposed Right to Information law exemption in a new Indian nuclear safety bill appears to be faring poorly in Parliament. A committee looking into the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority bill is likely to propose dropping the RTI provision, according to reports in The Hindustan Times and India Today. The government-backed bill would create a […]
-
17 February 2012
Comments In, Hearing Set As UK Furthers FOIA Review
The public comment period has ended and the Justice Select Committee has scheduled its first “evidence session” on possible revision of the United Kingdom’s Freedom of Information law. The committee will hold its first evidence session Feb. 21 and hear from: Maurice Frankel, Director, Campaign for Freedom of Information; Alexandra Runswick, Deputy Director, Unlock Democracy; […]
-
6 February 2012
Nepalese Court Continues Stay Order on Access Rules
The Supreme Court of Nepal on Feb. 5 extended an order to delay implementation of a government effort to deny access to 140 types of information. Justices Girish Chandra Lal and Prakash Osti “gave continuity” to a Jan. 31 stay order previously issued by Justice Baidhya Nath Upadhyay. (See previous FreedomInfo.org report.) Critics have charged […]
-
3 February 2012
India Proposes RTI Act Exemption on Nuclear Safety
The government of India has proposed to amend the Right to Information Act to exclude from coverage any nuclear safety agencies created in the future. The government introduced the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill (NSRA Bill) in September 2011, but its RTI impact has just been highlighted by RTI activists. The bill seeks to add […]
-
3 February 2012
Dutch Wob War Enters New, More Civilized Stage
By Roger Vleugels Vluegels, roger.vleugels@planet.nl, is based in The Netherlands where he publishes Fringe Spitting, in which this report first appeared. In the first half of 2011 the Minister of Internal Affairs, Piet-Hein Donner, in charge for the Dutch FOIA, the Wob, launched his attack on the Wob. Since September 2011 the early signs of change […]
-
16 December 2011
UK Says FOIA Covers Official Information in Private Emails
The United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner’s Office Dec. 15 issued guidance “making it clear that information concerning official business held in private email accounts is subject to the Freedom of Information Act.” Information Commissioner Christopher Graham said: It should not come as a surprise to public authorities to have the clarification that information held in private […]
-
14 October 2011
Indian Prime Minister Urges Critical Look at RTI Act
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Oct. 14 called for a “critical look” at the six-year-old Right to Information Act. He expressed concern about a “flood” of requests, about disclosure inhibiting the deliberations of government officials, and about the coverage of private-public partnerships. Singh’s comments before the annual convention of Information Commissioners were quickly criticized as […]
-
18 May 2011
Group Seek Uniformity in Indian State RTI Rules
The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative has asked the Indian Department of Personnel and Training, Government to address a lack of uniformity with regard to right to information rules by state governments and the High Courts. One problem, according to the letter is that “Parliament can annul or modify Rules made by the Central Government but […]