News
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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… -
3 February 2012
Liberian Court Urged to Make Disclosures Under FOI Law
Liberia’s Criminal Court ‘A’ has so far declined to disclose evidence in a media-related case, prompting a complaint by the Press Union of Liberia about the denial under the Freedom of Information Act of Liberia.
“The Union says it is… -
3 February 2012
Agnew Approved as New Scottish Commissioner
The Scottish Parliament Feb. 1 has approved Rosemary Agnew as the next Scottish Information Commissioner.
If approved by the Queen, a final formality, she will assume the job in April for a six-year term. Agnew succeeds Kevin Dunion, who retires later… -
3 February 2012
Nigerian State of Ogun Will Pass FOI Law, AG Says
The Ogun state government in Nigeria intends to pass a freedom of information bill on Feb. 29, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Wemimo Ogunde said recently, according to media reports.
Ogune made the disclosure Feb. 1 at the opening… -
3 February 2012
Sierra Leone President Again Supports FOI Bill
Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma Jan. 28 reiterated his support for freedom of information legislation on the occasion of the review of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Forum, Country Review Report of Sierra Leone at the 16th Summit…
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3 February 2012
Ghana Makes Plans for Open Data Initiative
The Ghana government in collaboration with World Wide Web Foundation (WWWF) has announced plans for a Ghana Open Data Initiative to make government data more available.
William Tevie, Director General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), signed a memorandum… -
3 February 2012
FOI Notes: Open Data Book, U.S. Reports, U.K. Guide
Open Data: Josh Tauberer, self-described as “software developer, entrepreneur, and civic hacker based in Washington, DC” has posted a work-in-progress “book” on the history of open government data and providing open data principles.
United States: The New York Times writes about… -
3 February 2012
President Aquino Submits Text of FOI Legislation
Philippines President Benigno Aquino Feb. 2 sent to Congress his administration’s long awaited version of the freedom of information bill.
“Earlier today, we formally submitted to our coalition partners in the House of Representatives a substitute Freedom of Information Bill,… -
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… -
3 February 2012
OGP Posts Updates From Some Member Countries
The Open Government Partnership has begun posting updates from member countries about the progress they are making on their national action plans.
The OGP announcement Feb. 2 said 19 updates had been received, but not all of them were available… -
31 January 2012
Court in Nepal Delays Controversial RTI Limits
The Supreme Court of Nepal Jan. 31 stayed until Feb. 5 the decision of the government to classify 140 kinds of information, according to a report in Republica.
The court ordered defendants and plaintiffs to be present arguments on… -
31 January 2012
UN Body Planning Website on FOI, Data Protection
A United Nations body has requested advice on its plans to create an online platform concerning freedom of information and data protection.
The platform (http://www.unpan.org/unpacs) also will cover other topics related to public administration.
The call for comments is an… -
31 January 2012
Nepalese Information Classification Called Excessive, Illegal
The government of Nepal has classified as confidential 140 types of information, sparking protests and legal actions.
The classifications by a three-person committee came into force on Jan. 15, without promised consultations, and the scope of the secrecy extends beyond the… -
30 January 2012
UK Issues Responses to Open Data Consultation
The United Kingdom government has posted the almost 500 responses to its consultation on open data.
The “Making Open Data Real” effort was launched in August with an October deadline for answers to questions “aimed at informing Government’s strategy to… -
27 January 2012
CSO Member to Help Chair OGP; Panama to Join
We have an #OGP civil society co-chair!!
That’s Martin Tisne’s enthusiastic tweet about a development in the closed meeting of the governance subcommittee of the Open Government Partnership.
The subcommittee met Jan 26 and 27 in Washington to work out… -
27 January 2012
Sierra Leone Portal No Substitute for FOI Law, Advocates Say
Promises by Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma to pass a freedom of information law have resulted in no action, so when he announced a Transparency Sierra Leone portal Jan. 24 and said it would lead to an “unprecedented level…
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27 January 2012
Kenyan Draft FOI Bill Subject to More Review
The Kenyan Constitutional Implementation Commission has asked for further modifications of a draft freedom of information law, according to an expert who attended the meeting.
A few issues proved contentious and a technical committee was asked to seek further submissions… -
27 January 2012
FOI Notes: Open Data, Climate Change, FOI Survey
Accountability: One World Trust issues its latest report on accountability (pdf).
The accountability framework methodology and indicators have been changed in 11 key ways. “These range from giving more weight to the role of top level strategy, changing the way… -
20 January 2012
OGP Seeks Input on Topics, Side Meetings for April
The Open Government Partnership is continuing its preparations for the April meeting in Brazil, putting out calls for suggestion of panel topics and “thematic side meetings.”
The OGP also reminded member nations to submit short updates on their efforts to… -
19 January 2012
Hearings on South African Secrecy Bill to Start
The National Council of Provinces has announced plans to hold public consultations on the Protection of State Information Bill in all nine provinces.
The NCOP’s 15-member ad hoc committee is considering the bill following its passage in 2011 by the…