Blog – Page 122 – Access Info Europe

Litigation

Helen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:04+01:00

Access Info's Litigation at the European Union Access Info Europe v. Council of the European Union, Hellenic Republic and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – T-233/2009 The EU is reforming its rules on access to documents and Access Info wanted to know what position each government was taking on the reform. We asked the Council of the EU on 3 December 2008, and it responded on 17 December. The Council granted Access Info partial access to the documents requested: we were provided with the summary of the discussions but without the names of the countries which had

LitigationHelen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:04+01:00

History of Right of Access to Information

Helen Darbishire2021-11-24T17:34:28+01:00

History of Right of Access to Information Access to Information: A Fundamental Right, A Universal Standard, 17 January 2006. [cited in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe during the debate on the new Convention on Access to Official Documents in October 2008]. · 1766 – Sweden adopts world’s first access to information law: The law establishes press freedom, including the freedom to print and disseminate materials about the government, courts, and parliament. The law, which forms part of Sweden’s constitution, recognises that press freedom is contingent upon access to information and states “to that end free access should

History of Right of Access to InformationHelen Darbishire2021-11-24T17:34:28+01:00

“Legal Leaks”: Access to information and data security for journalists

Helen Darbishire2021-03-04T13:41:37+01:00

Journalists play a central role in initiating and stimulating public debates but face constant challenges in accessing information from public bodies, particularly when that information relates to issues such as corruption and organised crime, violations of human rights, controversial international relations, environmental contamination, relationships with business and lobby groups, and the more sensitive aspects of EU integration. These challenges are increasing due to limitations on freedom of expression and access to information resulting from new counter-terrorism and security measures. At the same time increased use of electronic surveillance technologies by public (and private) bodies is making it harder for journalists

“Legal Leaks”: Access to information and data security for journalistsHelen Darbishire2021-03-04T13:41:37+01:00

Civil Liberties

Helen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:05+01:00

Promoting access to information for defence of civil liberties and human rights In the past decade, the European Union and its member states have introduced a large number of measures which are designed to prevent and combat terrorism. These measures include communications data retention, biometric passports, DNA collection and CCTV surveillance. In the post-September 11th climate it has proven remarkably easy for governments to advance and adopt measures which impact on fundamental rights including the rights to privacy, freedom of association and expression, detention without trial, and freedom of movement.

Civil LibertiesHelen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:05+01:00

Spain: Coalicion Pro Acceso

Helen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:06+01:00

7 October 2008 Spanish President Zapatero commits to adopt an access to information law Access Info welcomed today's announcement by the Spanish Government and called for the drafting of the law to be open and transparent, with full participation of civil society. Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero speaking today at the closing of the 64th Assembly of the Inter-American Press Association in Madrid, announced that his Government will adopted "a new law that guarantees the greatest possible access to public information in Spain". No further details on the proposed content of the law are yet available. Access Info noted that

Spain: Coalicion Pro AccesoHelen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:06+01:00

European Union key problems

Helen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:07+01:00

Access Info has identified some key problems with EU transparency: People are having problems getting access to information: the European Ombudsman’s report for 2008 says that 36% of citizens’ complaints relate to transparency and access to documents. But at the same time, most users of the EU’s access rules are businesses rather than journalists, civil society organisations or members of the public. And even when these stakeholders might think about making requests the explanations given on the EU’s websites makes it seem quite daunting (despite the fact that making requests is really quite straightforward!).

European Union key problemsHelen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:07+01:00

Council of Europe Intro Section

Helen Darbishire2020-02-14T11:52:44+01:00

Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents The world’s first treaty on the right to know was adopted by the Council of Europe on 27 November 2008. This treaty, the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents, was opened for signature on 18 June. Any of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe can sign the Convention; so far 12 countries have signed. Access Info campaigned for this new treaty to be as strong as possible and is now working with partners around Europe to encourage countries to sign the treaty and demonstrate their

Council of Europe Intro SectionHelen Darbishire2020-02-14T11:52:44+01:00

Access Info in the News 2008

Helen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:07+01:00

News Articles from 2008 Report claims right of access to information is not fully recognisedstatewatch.org | 03/11/08English - In October 2008, Access Info Europe published a report on access to information requests filed in Spain, in relation to Spanish law and the practices of public administrations, and to a set of principles drawn from international standards. It argues that the right of access to public information is "precariously" regulated in Spain, with "defects and gaps" that represent real obstacles for citizens to know "what public administrations do with their money" or how decisions that affect them are made. Read more...

Access Info in the News 2008Helen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:07+01:00

Access info in the news 2007

Helen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:07+01:00

News Articles from 2007 España sigue sin tener una Ley de Acceso a la Información públicaConsumers International and Sector Humano | 02/10/07Spanish - Con ocasión del Día Internacional del derecho a Saber, quince ONG españolas denuncian que el gobierno no ha cumplido su promesa electoral de adoptar una ley de acceso a la información pública que garantice la transparencia del gobierno y de todas las administraciones públicas y que se encuentre al nivel de las que ya existen en la mayoría de los países de la Unión Europea. Read more... Quince organizaciones exigen al Gobierno que cumpla su promesa electoral

Access info in the news 2007Helen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:07+01:00

Access Info in the News 2006

Helen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:07+01:00

News Articles from 2006 Freedom of info: More than a paper rightLocal Governance Brief | 01/07/06English - Freedom of information is vital to keeping finances open FOI laws have become the norm worldwide, but their inconsistent execution requires vigilance from tax payers and civil society. Read more... Info Commissioners Meet in Manchesterfreedominfo.org | 31/05/06English - Delegates from more than 40 countries participated this month in the 4th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC), which took place in Manchester, United Kingdom, on May 22nd and May 23rd, hosted by the U.K. Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas. Read more... Access to Information; the

Access Info in the News 2006Helen Darbishire2018-11-13T10:14:07+01:00