Initiative and activities regarding the Freedom of Information Act

Croatia adopted Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in late 2003 as a result of NGO coalition “Citizens have a right to know” advocacy campaign. GONG has recognized the flows of FOIA regulation, as well as implementation, together with its immense significance for the citizens, public and the rule of law.

Therefore, GONG has decided to engage in a comprehensive long-term project using several methods in order to achieve several objectives as following:

• research method in order to find out to which extent do public bodies respect FOIA and to research on legislative flaws and lacunas which need to be improved;
• public campaigning in order to raise awareness of citizens about their right, as well as educate them on how to exercise it and to inspire the media to cover the theme field;
• legal advising for citizens, institutions, NGOs, media and citizen’s initiatives to provide them with required information on administrative procedure;
• roundtables, discussions and citizen’s hours in order to debate on lacunas and propose improvements of FOIA;
• development of education modules and execution of trainings for both citizens and administrative staff;
• research of comparative law in order to co opt quality solutions and insert them in FOIA;
• building and improving relations with state and foreign institutions authorized for FOIA implementation in order to advocate for FOIA amendments.

During 2008, it is planned to further continue with systematic research on implementation of FOIA, especially in line with the new provisions of Data Secrecy Act (DSA). Focus will be also on the new Public Procurement Act and new provisions regarding the local self-government. The purpose of the research is not just to observe the problems in the implementation of FOIA and suggest solutions, but more importantly to work on creating new praxis in this area.

Our aim is also to have a representative in the working group that will work on developing the new bill regarding freedom of information, which is expected. And after this new Act enters into effect, another research on FOIA implementation will be conducted.

Just as every year since GONG started dealing with this issue, an educational campaign will be conducted around the international Right to Know Day (September 28).

During the year GONG will also work on updating the materials regarding the FOIA on our website, providing all necessary information to the citizens and on developing leaflets and other materials containing new information about FOIA implementation (in line with changes in legislation).

This article was published in Politeia Newsletter 48 - February 2008