Freedom of Information Around the World 2006 Report
20/09/2006
Privacy International released the Freedom of Information Around the World 2006: Global Survey of Access to Government Information Laws on 20 September 2006. The Survey provides a comprehensive review of Freedom of Information Laws and practices in nearly 70 countries around the world.
The survey draws attention to the growing movement around the world to adopt FOI laws. In just the past two years, over a dozen countries have adopted new laws and decrees, while dozens more are considering proposals. Important international treaties such as the UN Convention Against Corruption have also gone into force. These laws are being used to fight corruption, make government bodies accountable and promote social and human rights.
Unfortunately, the survey also highlights that many problems still exist such as poorly drafted laws, lax implementation and an ongoing culture of secrecy in many countries. There are also dangers in backsliding such as in Ireland where the imposition of onerous fees has significantly reduced use of the law and in the United Kingdom where a similar proposal is being considered. New laws promoting secrecy in the global war on terror have also undercut access.
Table of Contents
| Forward for 2006 Edition
The Right to Know: Domestic and Intl Developments
Overview
Benefits of Freedom of Information
International Sources of FOI
National Efforts on Freedom of Information
Common Features of FOI Laws
Problems
Conclusion
Albania
Angola
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Belize
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Canada
Colombia
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
|
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
South Korea
Kosovo
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Macedonia
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
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Norway
Pakistan
Panama
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uzbekistan
Zimbabwe
Appendix A – Table of FOI Laws and Decrees |
Versions Available
2006 English Full Version - (PDF 168 pp)
2006 English - Part 1: The Right to Know: Domestic and Intl Developments (PDF 32pp) 2006 Russian (PDF 215pp)
2004 Arabic (PDF 154pp)
Global FOI map |
Related:
FOI Survey 2006 Available in Russian
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