Eighth edition of Right to Know Days

The people’s access to public information continues to be hindered. In order to warn about this problem, the Center for Promotion of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information “Acces-Info” launched the eighth edition of the Right to Know Days. “We meet with the authorities’ ignorance as the information is regarded as property of the institution, which is not right,” “Acces-Info” director Vasile Spinei said in public debates held at Info-Prim Neo on September 26. According to Vasile Spinei, it is 11 years since the Law on the Access to Information was passed, but the institutions continue to consider the information as their property. The initial law said the official information, except the limited access information, is everyone’s property. Vasile Spinei said that attempts have been made during 11 years to ‘mutilate’ the law so that the information is kept inside the institution. Since 2004 until now, the courts have examined over 600 cases concerning access to information. Attending the event, Adviser to Prime Minister Igor Volnitski said the situation as regards access to information is relatively good. “Many state institutions provide access to information, but others do not ensure this right,” he stated. The adviser said that it is very hard to obtain information from several ministries. Only 12 of the about 4,000 petitions submitted to the State Chancellery so far this year concern the limitation of access to information. This shows that the situation has improved. The Right to Know Days will take place between September 26 and October 2 and will include roundtable meetings, seminars, educational classes, exhibitions, consultations, international conferences and other events. The Right to Know Days are organized by the Center for Promotion of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information “Acces-Info” in partnership with the Association of Independent Press, the Anticorruption Alliance and other NGOs.