News
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1 October 2015
Draft Kazakhstan FOI Law Needs Improvement: OSCE
Freedom of information legislation being prepared in Kazakhstan needs improvement, according to an analysis prepared by the Organization for Security and Co?operation in Europe (OSCE). The critique was presented at a Sept. 25 conference, according to a report by the OSCE, one of the sponsors. Irish FOI expert Maeve McDonagh presented an evalution of the […]
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1 October 2015
Nigerian State to Adopt FOI Act, New Governor Says
The governor of the state of Kaduna Nasir El-Rufai has announced plans to adopt the federal Freedom of Information Act, according to an article in ThisDayLive. A bill to “domesticate” the FOI law is before the state House of Assembly. He stressed that “the domestication of the FoI Act will not only bring about transparency […]
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1 October 2015
Coalition Says US Failing to Fulfill OGP Commitments
A pro-transparency coalition in the United States has said in a report that the Obama administration is not living up to its commitments regarding freedom of information. OpenTheGovernment.org reviewed activity on the current U.S. National Action Plan prepared as a member of the Open Government Partnership. It found that “despite commendable efforts and some meaningful progress, the […]
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1 October 2015
FOI Notes: Open Data, Videos, Commentary, Country News, More
Latin America: The Alianza Regional por la Libre Expresión e Información has published the seventh edition of its Saber Más report (In Spanish, with English version promised soon). The report contains updates from 16 countries and the theme is “access to information and open data.” Open Data: A revised Open Data Charter has been released and […]
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1 October 2015
Negative Reviews Mark Fifth Anniversary of Liberian Law
The fifth year anniversary of the freedom of information law in Liberia was marked by several very critical reviews of how the law is being implemented. “Very little” is being done to implement the law, according one Liberian group. And a report by a pan-Africa FOI group said the government is turning in a “dismal […]
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30 September 2015
Cayman Commissioner Criticizes Government
Acting Information Commissioner Jan Liebaers in the Cayman Islands has blamed the government for keeping his office from functioning optimally. “I have the powers of the Commissioner, but I do not have the actual five-year appointment which is required by law to maintain the independence of the office,” he said in an interview with The […]
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30 September 2015
Bermuda New Law Will Make Impact, Commissioner Says
In effect since April 1, Bermuda’s Public Access to Information Act (PATI) will inevitably change a secretive government culture, according to the Island’s first information commissioner, Gitanjali Gutierrez. She predicted major disclosures during an interview with Sam Strangeways of the Royal Gazette. “I think it’s inevitable that a few requests will get a lot of […]
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28 September 2015
Three More FOI Laws; Negativity Poses Challenges
By Toby McIntosh The number of national freedom of information laws continues to grow, and at least 20 countries are considering passage of FOI laws, but threats to transparency laws are emerging. In the year since the last International Right to Know Day, three countries joined the list of now 104 countries with FOI regimes: […]
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27 September 2015
Article 19 Closely Examines State of RTI in Asian Nations
Some Asian countries are world leaders in providing access to information, but many others are backsliding or resisting transparency, according to comprehensive new report by Article 19, the London-based free expression organization. Looking in depth at 11 countries, Article 19 generalizes: Right to information legislation in Asia includes a huge cross sample in regards to […]
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27 September 2015
New Report Evaluates Access in 15 African Countries
The Africa Freedom of Information Centre has issued a 124-page report analyzing right to information in 15 countries, reporting problems implementing laws that exist and difficulties getting new laws passed. “Lack of transparency and corruption presents real threats to Africa’s vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its citizens and representing a […]
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24 September 2015
Assessment of Access Goal Next Stage in UN Process
Several alternatives have emerged on how to monitor the access to information target contained in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The new global development agenda is on track to be approved this weekend in New York by the United Nations’ 193 member states. Decisions on how to monitor implementation of the goals are expected next […]
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24 September 2015
FOI Notes: Pakistan, Canada, India, US, Immigration, UK
Pakistan: Pildat, an independent, non-partisan and not-for-profit indigenous research and training institution with the mission to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in Pakistan has published a report “Activating Right to Information in South Asia,” by Nikhil Dey, co-convener of the National Campaign on People’s Right to Information, India. Among other messages, Dey writes: “The RTI […]
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24 September 2015
RTI Bill Ready for Review Sri Lankan Official Says
A draft right to information bill will soon be sent to the Attorney General’s Department, according to an article by Nadira Gunatilleke in The Daily News. The bill also will go to all Provincial Councils in order to educate them on the proposed bill, according to Media and Parliament Rehabilitation Minister and Co-Cabinet Spokesman Gayantha […]
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22 September 2015
Decree Brings Access Law Into Effect in Paraguay
Paraguay’s President Horacio Cartes on Sept. 18 signed a decree (Decree 4064/15) implementing the law on access to public information. Cartes called it “a historic moment in our country” and said his administration would work to end injustice and misuse of public money, according to a posting on a government website (in Spanish). Transparency will […]
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22 September 2015
140 UK Groups Protest Bias on New FOIA Commission
Some 140 groups have charged that the Commission on Freedom of Information announced in July is biased. The letter to the British Prime Minister David Cameron by media bodies, civil society groups and and others states, “The government does not appear to intend the Commission to carry out an independent and open minded inquiry.” The […]
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17 September 2015
Mauritius PM Pledges Preparation of FOI Bill
The government of Mauritius has announced in a statement that is “committed to bring forward a Freedom of Information Act.” The promise came from Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth in reply to a question in the National Assembly. The statement says such a law will “promote transparency and accountability in public administration and more particularly in […]
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17 September 2015
Canadian Groups Press Politicians for Access Reforms
Nineteen Canadian groups have issued a joint letter asking the major political parties to make concrete commitments to reform Canada’s access to information system. They urged four reforms: – Strengthen the Office of the Information Commissioner with a larger mandate and order-making power. – Eliminate loopholes and blanket exclusions and minimize exceptions to the Access […]
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17 September 2015
FOI Notes: India, Pakistan, US, EU, South Africa, Trade, Research, More
India: Human Rights Watch calls on the government to “promptly and thoroughly investigate threats and attacks on so-called right-to-information activists.” Pakistan: Nudrrat Khawaia reports in The Daily Pakistan: “Despite well-publicized promises, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has yet to undo the widely criticized amendments to the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Right to Information Act 2013.” Mexico: Ximena […]
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10 September 2015
Burkina Faso Passes FOI Bill; Draft Considered Good
Burkina Faso’s parliament has adopted a freedom of information bill, according to sources and media reports. See text of the legislation (in French). Little detail was available about the legislation immediately after passage, but drafts were praised by FOI experts. The National Transitional Council passed the FOI bill Aug. 30, along with several bills regulating the media […]
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10 September 2015
FOI Notes: Open Budgets, Pakistan, India, Nepal, UK, US, Nigeria, Scotland, Open Data, World Bank
Open Budgets: The Open Budget Partnership announces the release of its 2015 survey, stating: Most countries surveyed provide insufficient information for civil society and the public to understand or monitor budgets, and only a small fraction of countries have appropriate mechanisms for the public to participation in budget processes. Formal oversight institutions also frequently face […]