[LINK] OT?: FOI: New Global Survey from PI

[Roger Clarke]

Press Release

Privacy International Releases Global Freedom of Information Survey

For Immediate Release - 20 September 2006.

Privacy International has released the Freedom of Information Around 
the World 2006 Global Survey of Access to Government Information 
Laws.  The Survey provides a comprehensive review of Freedom of 
Information Laws and practices in nearly 70 countries around the 
world.

The survey draws attention to the growing movement around the world 
to adopt FOI laws. In just the past two years, over a dozen countries 
have adopted new laws and decrees, while dozens more are considering 
proposals. Important international treaties such as the UN Convention 
Against Corruption have also gone into force. These laws are being 
used to fight corruption, make government bodies accountable and 
promote social and human rights.

Unfortunately, the survey also highlights that many problems still 
exist such as poorly drafted laws, lax implementation and an ongoing 
culture of secrecy in many countries. There are also dangers in 
backsliding such as in Ireland where the imposition of onerous fees 
has significantly reduced use of the law and in the United Kingdom 
where a similar proposal is being considered. New laws promoting 
secrecy in the global war on terror have also undercut access.

The report is being released just prior to the 3rd Annual 
International Right to Know Day on 28 September. Advocates in dozens 
of countries will be holding events celebrating the day.

The survey is available at the Privacy International website at 
http://www.privacyinternational.org/foi/survey. An interactive 
version in conjunction with freedominfo.org and the Open Society 
Justice Institute will be released shortly.

For more information, contact: David Banisar [banisard (@) 
privacy.org], Director, FOI Project

Privacy International is one of the world's oldest privacy 
organisations, and has been instrumental in establishing the modern 
international privacy movement. The organisation was formed in 1990 
as a privacy, human rights and civil liberties watchdog. It has been 
at the forefront of research and public education on issues ranging 
from biometrics and identity cards, to police systems and national 
security arrangements, to Internet censorship, cybercrime and 
communications surveillance to freedom of information and media 
rights and has organised campaigns and initiatives in more than fifty 
countries. More information is available at 
http://www.privacyinternational.org/

-- 
Roger Clarke                  http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/

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Visiting Professor in Info Science & Eng  Australian National University
Visiting Professor in the eCommerce Program      University of Hong Kong
Visiting Professor in the Cyberspace Law & Policy Centre      Uni of NSW