08. 09. 2004

Government tables freedom of Information Bill

BELGRADE, September 8, 2004 (Tanjug) – The Serbian government has submitted to the parliament draft legislation on freedom of access to information of public importance. Under the bill both journalists and members of the public will have equal access to information from state bodies through information officers. The bill defines information of public importance as anything in which anyone has a legitimate interest, particularly information concerned with threats to health and the environment such as epidemics or natural disasters. The public is also to be given access to information on the operations of state bodies after a period of twenty years. The principle of equality in the right to public information prohibits any discrimination on the grounds of racial, religious, national or other grounds. State bodies are prohibited from giving privileged status to any individual journalist or media outlet. The bill also provides for members of the public to file a written or verbal request, stating their reasons for seeking access to information. State bodies are to have fifteen days to respond to such requests by stating whether or not the information is available and providing access to it. Fines of between 5,000 dinars (about 70 euros) and 50,000 dinars are laid down in the bill for discriminating among journalists, denying access to full information or for unreasonable refusal to provide information.