Free access to information of public character

The administration applies tactics when it is to give information

The citizens show most interest for accessing the information from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, MIA, The Public Income Bureau and “A.D. Toplifikacija”. The requested information mostly concerns the financial operation of the institution or the tender allocations. Citizens get the information regarding the everyday work of the institutions most easily (on the budget, the Statute, the programme), while the information regarding the answers to questions, such as “how big is the mayor counselors’ salary” are harder to get. The authorities are also reluctant to provide information on the quality and the safety of the water we drink…

The right to ask for information of public character from the institutions or those who possess them was given to the citizens in September 2006 when the Law for free access to information of public character started to apply. So far, 513 requests have been submitted.

“So far, 450 information possessors have been registered, although that number should be doubled. However, not everyone possessing information of public character possesses the awareness that they should register as such, and there are many who refuse to do so”, says Janko Nikolovski, President of the Commission for protecting the right for free access to information of public character. “The administration is still closed and applies tactics, For example, sometimes, instead of an answer, they offer opinions, which is not mentioned as an alternative for providing an answer anywhere in the Law for free access to information, and, when the information seekers lodge a complaint, it reaches the commission on the day before its validity expires, which is unallowable”, emphasized Nikolovski.

Several training courses for the information possessors have been delivered with assistance from OSCE, FOSIM and “PRO-Media”. 

M.K.