News
-
1 February 2013
Indian Court Denies State Commission Right to Appeal
The Indian Supreme Court on Jan. 18 rejected as “frivolous” a petition from the Karnataka information commissioner challenging a Karnataka High Court order that overturning the commissioner’s decision, according to an article in The Deccan Herald. The order has “serious implications” for the RTI Act, wrote Shailesh Gandhi, who served as Central Information Commissioner from […]
-
31 January 2013
FOI Notes: Proactive Disclosure, OGP, U.S. Sunshine Week, Open Data Day, China, Fellowships, Presidential Health, Taxes
Proactive Transparency: A webinar on proactive transparency will be held at Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. EST (| 4:00 – 5:00 PM Spain, 3:00 – 4:00 PM UK (15:00 GMT), featuring HelenDarbishire, (Executive Director, Access Info Europe) and Kevin Dunion (Executive Director, Center for Freedom of Information, University of Dundee). It is sponsored by the […]
-
31 January 2013
Uruguay Mandates Agencies to Accept E-FOI Requests
The Uruguay Access to Information Unit has issued a ruling requiring government agencies to accept electronic requests for information. The ruling follows the creation of a website by the Center for Archives and Access to Public Information (CAINFO) the filing of information requests. (See previous FreeedomInfo.org report.) The group describes the new policy nd provides […]
-
31 January 2013
Lack of Aquino Support Seen Dooming Philippines FOI Bill
Time appears to be running out for freedom of information legislation in the Philippines in the absence of support from President Benigno Aquino and with only three days left in this session of Congress. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda on Jan. 31 said, “Our position is let’s have a debate, a healthy debate on this issue […]
-
28 January 2013
Philippines House Begins Debate on FOI Legislation
The Philippines House Jan. 28 took up the long-delayed freedom of information bill, but with only five days left in the congressional session and still without presidential help. Promisingly, considering that quorum problems are common during the final days of a session, a roll call was answered by 186 members. The FOI bill (House Bill 6766) had not […]
-
28 January 2013
New Head of Mexican IFAI Blasted by Colleague
The inauguration of Gerardo Laveaga as the new head of the Federal Institute of Access to Information and Data Protection (IFAI) was accompanied by strong criticisms from a fellow commissioner. Commissioner Angeles Trinidad Zaldivar called Laveaga “inexperienced and lazy.” In a Jan. 21 speech at the event, he said Laveaga has outstanding 291 matters before […]
-
28 January 2013
Cambodian Parliament Rejects Proposed FOI Bill
The Cambodian National Assembly has again rejected proposed freedom of information legislation, according to an article by Kaing Menghun and Cloin Meyn in Cambodia Daily and another, in the Phnom Penh Post. A leader of the Cambodian Peoples Party called the bill unconstitutional and poorly written, according to the article. CPP lawmaker Chheang Vun said […]
-
28 January 2013
Draft FOI Law for Cyprus Circulated for Comment
A draft access to Information law for Cyprus is being circulated by groups planning to campaign for its passage. The draft (in Greek) has been produced by the University of Nicosia Law Clinic, in cooperation with Politeia and IKME – Socio-political Studies Institute, according to Orestis Tringides, who said comments are welcome. The group plan […]
-
28 January 2013
Cameron Again Highlights Transparency for G-8 Agenda
British Prime Minister David Cameron continues to emphasize transparency as a theme for the June meeting of the G-8 nations in Ireland. Cameron expanded slightly on this agenda during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “The third big push of our agenda is on transparency, shining a light on company ownership, […]
-
28 January 2013
New York Restricts Access to Names of Gun Owners
The controversial publication by a New York newspaper of public records showing the names and addresses of handgun owners has resulted in a state law restricting disclosure of ownership data, backtracking by the newspaper, and a great deal of debate within journalism circles. The controversy arose after The Journal News published an interactive map showing […]
-
25 January 2013
Proponents of FOI Bill Hope to Speak With President
Support from President Benigno Aquino appears to be the only hope for passage of a freedom of information in the Philippines, so supporters of the bill hope to meet with him during the week of Jan. 28. With the House set to adjourn Feb. 8, leaving just six more session days, the bill’s chances have […]
-
25 January 2013
OGP Continues Steps for Reviews of Action Plans
The Open Government Partnership has opened 2013 with a call for the independent reviewers who will evaluate the first eight national action plans. The hiring and training reviewers will be finished by the end of March if things go as planned. By late October, when the OGP will hold its second annual meeting, the first […]
-
25 January 2013
Budget Transparency Poor, Latest IBP Analysis Finds
The national budgets of 77 of 100 countries assessed by the International Budget Partnership “fail to meet basic standards of budget transparency,” according to a new survey by the U.S-based group. The results “raise serious questions about the prospects for individual countries to overcome poverty and promote economic development and for international efforts like the […]
-
25 January 2013
FOI Notes: Studies, Ratings, Mentorship, Open Data, Reports, Surveys, Video
Open Government Guide Revision: The Transparency & Accountability Initiative (T/AI) is updating the 2011 Opening Government Guide which has multiple chapters describing good practices in transparency, accountability and citizen participation across a wide range of open government areas. Feedback on the original guide is being sought via a very short survey here goo.gl/SxcAX . To give […]
-
23 January 2013
House Sponsors of FOI Bill Appeal for Aquino Support
Leading sponsors of the freedom of information bill now languishing before the Philippines House have appealed to President Benigno Aquino to throw a lifeline to the bill. Another day passed without House action Jan. 23, leaving just six session days to go before the House adjourns the current session on Feb. 8. “Akbayan Representative Walden Bello […]
-
22 January 2013
Philippines FOI Bill Faces Delays as Session Wanes
A procedural move on an unrelated matter has delayed action by the Philippines House on a freedom of information bill with only seven session days to go. The unexpected delay with little time to spare was one of several plot twists in recent days for the imperiled bill which continues to get barely token support […]
-
22 January 2013
Chilean Court Orders Disclosures by Agencies
The Supreme Court of Chile has ordered two government agencies to disclose information that was sought by the Transparency Council. The Supreme Court ordered the Securities and Insurance Superintendency (Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros) to disclose the names of the public servants who are shareholders of the businesses they regulate. In another decision, the court […]
-
21 January 2013
Scotland FOI Modifications Disappoint Reformers
The Scottish Parliament has passed amendments to the freedom of information law, but only made what critics called a “timid” move toward expanding its scope as sought by reformers. The bill approved Jan. 16 would strengthen enforcement against destruction of documents and unify at 15 years the time frame for releasing historical documents. However, it would not extend the […]
-
15 January 2013
OGP Seeks to Recruit New Steering Committee Members
The Open Government Partnership is moving to add new members to its Steering Committee, which has turned out to be a touchy challenge. Incumbent government members have been reluctant to leave. A significant step forward occurred Jan. 15 when the OGP issued a public call for nominations of civil society leaders interested in serving on the OGP […]
-
15 January 2013
Russian Court Ruling Aids Release of Soviet Era Secrets
By Svetlana Savranskaya Savranskaya is a staff member at the National Security Archive. Documents labeled “secret” during the Soviet era may be declassified, the Russian Constitutional Court has ruled, apparently removing a roadblock that has frustrated historians. The Russian Constitutional Court issued the clarification in response to a complaint from a prominent historian, Nikita Petrov, deputy chair […]