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Alert

ARTICLE 19 issues memorandum on draft law on Free Access to Public Information

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - ARTICLE 19 has announced the publication of a memorandum on the draft law on Free Access to Public Information.

The organisation welcomes the draft law and regards it as a positive step to advance freedom of expression and information in Macedonia. The draft law has some of the key elements needed in an effective freedom of information law, including an independent oversight body, accommodation of oral requests for information and provision for liability for those who intentionally block access to information.

According to ARTICLE 19, there are, however, areas in which the draft law could be considerably improved in order to safeguard the public's right to know. A particular concern is the excessive regime of exceptions to the right of access. Other concerns include the confusing regime for appeals from refusals of access, the lack of a strong obligation to publish even in the absence of a request for information and the failure to establish a system to ensure that records are maintained in good condition by public authorities.

The memorandum is available at http://www.article19.org