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Alert

Freedom House urges government to adopt Freedom of Information Bill

(Freedom House/IFEX) - The following is a 12 January 2004 Freedom House press release:

NIGERIA SHOULD ADOPT FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL

NEW YORK, January 12, 2004 -- The government of Nigeria should adopt a proposed Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) in order to promote government accountability, transparency, and citizen participation in the democratic process, Freedom House said today.

Passage of the bill will grant Nigerians the legal right to obtain information and records that are currently inaccessible. The ability to request official files will allow any citizen to research government and business matters and verify if public claims are backed by official records.

The FOI bill includes provisions that will make public records and information more readily available to the extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy.

By approving the Freedom of Information Bill, Nigerian leaders will make a strong statement in support of transparent government, said Freedom House Executive Director Jennifer Windsor. Passage of the bill will render the processes of government more open and will make those in power more accountable to the people, she said.

In its annual global survey of freedom, Freedom in the World 2004, Freedom House rated Nigeria Partly Free. The report can be found online at: http://www.freedomhouse.org/research/freeworld/2003/countryratings/nigeria.htm

Freedom House's Freedom of the Press 2003 report on Nigeria can be found at:
http://www.freedomhouse.org/pfs2003/pfs2003.pdf

Freedom House, a non-partisan, nongovernmental organization, monitors political rights and civil liberties worldwide and conducts programs to promote democratic development.