Towards the end of June, the Agency for protection of the right to free access to public information prepared a questionnaire so it can collect original and authentic data about the implementation of the Law on Free Access to Public Information (LFAPI) since the start of 2020 i.e. since the Agency began working up until 30th of June.
“This questionnaire shows that in this six-month period of implementation of the new law on free access to public informacion, the main reason for not providing access to information is the “administrative silence” with 34 answered requests i.e. acting by the holders of information after the expiration of the legally determined deadline. Regardless of the incomplete statistical picture, the shown number of 34 requests that have faced with the “administrative silence” is a good enough indicator that the Agency in the forthcoming period, should focus on working towards openness and transparency among certain officials i.e. information holders. In all occasions and interpersonal contacts, but primarily during the training, the Agency’s employees should explain to the officials who are not aware of their obligations, the changes in the LFAPI with an accent given to shorter deadlines to act upon the requests. Also, even in cases with a positive reply or if the request is partially or completely rejected, a decision will be made, and then to explain to them the advantages of proactive transparency, but also to inform them about the articles concerning the violation of the Law,” informs the Agency.
It notes that at several institutions, where for the requests and the implementation of the LFAPI, several officials were assigned, and instead of one sublimated and accountable Questionnaire, several questionnaires were submitted, which numbers match the number of authorized persons for the mediation ofthe public information.
The questionnaire was distributed electronically to officials that were part of a focus group consisting of 194 public information holders chosen randomly. Until the 5th of July, the deadline when the filled-in questionnaire had to be submitted to the Agency’s official email, answered poll questionnaires were submitted by persons assigned for mediation with public information to 104 holders or 53.6% of the subjects that were asked to state their experience with the implementation of the Law during the first half of 2020.
“The received results from the poll show that the Agency should continue to proclaim and explain its mission, vision and the LFAPI’s significance with greater dedication, primarily among the managers of state institutions and local government units, which apart from the delegated authorizations to officials, have the last word. By monitoring these agencies’ work and by indicating their omissions, can additionally help to contribute to even greater openness and transparency and to establish an accountable public sector,” concludes the press release.
This article was produced within the framework of the project “Media Reform Observatory“, implemented by the Foundation for Internet and the Society “Metamorphosis”, with financial support by the Foundation “Open Society – Macedonia”.
The content is sole responsibility of its authors and in no way whatsoever could be understood as a representation of the views of the Foundation “Open Society – Macedonia”.
