Access to information

In favour of greater transparency of the Council of the EU

In a case brought by Access Info Europe, the European Court of Justice today rejected arguments by the Council of the European Union that it should be able to keep secret the identities of Member States making proposals in the context of negotiations on future EU legislation. This is the final ruling – by the highest court…

Short-lists two for 1st Croatian information commissioner

Anamarija Musa, a lecturer at the law school of Zagreb University, and Sandra Krizanec, a journalist of the national broadcaster (HRT), were short-listed as the nominees for the first information commissioner by the Croatian parliament’s committee on the constitution and political system on Tuesday, and the parliament (Sabor) will have the final say in deciding…

Could Croatia become famous by its Information Commisioner?

„It would be wonderful if Croatia became famous for having a good strong Commissioner who is being effective in promoting transparency“ – these are the words of Helen Darbishire and it is hard not to wish the same, especially on this day 28 September the „International Right to Know Day“. Passionate about the role of…

Information Commissioner – in limbo

Towards the election of the Information Commissioner, the full implementation of the new Act on right to access information and continuously raising the bar of transparency, GONG is organizing a conference titled “Commissioner – in limbo”. Conference will take place at Croatian Parliament on September 30th 2013, starting at 9:30 am. How to insure and…

International Right to Know Day observed

epa03642358 A Chinese technician debugs a row of video surveillance cameras for pubilc safety which are assembled on a pole in the Qingdao city, eastern China's Shandong province, 27 March 2013. China's public safety budget reaches at 128.989 billion yuan (Euros 16.227 billion) in 2013, up some nine per cent compared to last year, according to the Ministry of Finance. EPA/WU HONG

According to information from the Croatian Personal Data Protection Agency, 2.582 government bodies submitted their reports in 2012 concerning the implementation on the law on the right to information access, which is significantly higher than in 2010, for example, when only 854 bodies did so, the agency reported on Monday on the occasion of International…

Can democracy exist without trust? – looking for magic bullet

epa03702925 South African Rene Lion-Cachet is silhouetted at daybreak against a cloudy sky as a wild pigeon lands on his hand on a beachside bench in Cape Town, South Africa, 16 May 2013. Rene has been feeding the birds every morning for over four years and has built up a trusting relationship to the point where the birds eat pieces of rusk straight from his mouth. The birds recognise him as he arrives at the beach and land on him for their morning meal. EPA/NIC BOTHMA

In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly resolved to observe 15 September as the International Day of Democracy — with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy — and invited all member states and organizations to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness. Today on 15 September 2013 we use this occsasion…