FreedomInfo.org – Update May 31, 2013 Nigeria:<http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/nigerian-judiciary-supporting-new-foi-law-group-reports/> The judiciary is standing up for the new FOI law despite government resistance, the Media Rights Agenda reports, citing several positive decisions. http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/nigerian-judiciary-supporting-new-foi-law-group-reports/ Kenya:<http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/kenyan-officials-say-lack-of-foi-hampers-open-data/> The lack of a freedom of information law in Kenya is stymieing efforts to put more government data online, according to two top officials. http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/kenyan-officials-say-lack-of-foi-hampers-open-data/ Russia:<http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/russian-house-adopts-criticized-open-data-bill/> The lower house of the Russian parliament votes to require open data formats on government websites, but critics fault the amendments. http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/russian-house-adopts-criticized-open-data-bill/ EITI:<http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/eiti-adds-contracts-licenses-to-required-disclosure-list/> The Extractive Industries Initiative will require members to release more information, including about production volumes and mining licenses on a project-by-project basis. http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/eiti-adds-contracts-licenses-to-required-disclosure-list/ United Nations:<http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/un-panel-includes-rti-better-data-as-development-goals/> A high-level panel charged by the United Nations with drafting a post-2015 development agenda recommends better use of data and supports right to information laws. http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/un-panel-includes-rti-better-data-as-development-goals/ FOI Notes: <http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/foi-notes-directory-of-transparency-activists-started-ogp-newsletter-u-s-open-data-more/> Directory of Transparency Activists, OGP Civil Society Newsletter, U.S., Open Data, More http://www.freedominfo.org/2013/05/foi-notes-directory-of-transparency-activists-started-ogp-newsletter-u-s-open-data-more/ Read more at http://www.FreedomInfo.org<http://www.freedominfo.org/> EVENTS CALENDAR: See the Carter Center list of upcoming events: http://www.cartercenter.org/peace/americas/access_to_information/calendar.html NEW FEATURE! Case Summaries from Right2INFO: The following decisions have been added to the searchable database<http://www.right2info.org/cases> of case summaries, plus full text, created by Right2INFO<http://www.right2info.org/>, a website of the Open Society Justice Initiative. South Africa – private bodies, contracts/agreements, commercial confidentiality - M & G Media Ltd v. 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa Ltd.<http://www.right2info.org/cases/plomino_documents/r2i-m-g-media-ltd-v.-2010-fifa-world-cup-organising-committee-south-africa-ltd> (June 2010) - A non-government entity is a public body, and must disclose records about tender proceedings if the nature of the power and functions performed — with respect to the particular records — are public. If the entity is a private body, it must still disclose the records to the press because access to information enables the press to exercise the right to media freedom. Canada – deliberation/advice, cabinet privilege – O’Connor v. Nova Scotia<http://www.right2info.org/cases/plomino_documents/r2i-o2019connor-v.-nova-scotia> (Jan 2001) - The substance of Nova Scotia Provincial Cabinet deliberations with respect to government programs that are closed constitutes public information not protected by Cabinet privilege. However, programs that are not closed are protected by privilege, to the extent a decision on their continuity has not been implemented or made public and Cabinet has not waived such a privilege. Canada – deliberations/advice, privileged information - Canada (Minister of Environment) v. Canada (Information Commissioner)<http://www.right2info.org/cases/plomino_documents/r2i-canada-minister-of-environment-v.-canada-information-commissioner> (Dec 2007) - The Minister of Environment may not deny access to discussion papers on the safety and regulatory treatment of a fuel supplement under Section 21(1)(a) (advice and recommendations), (b) (consultations and deliberations) and Section 23 (solicitor-client privilege). Blog Roll: Visit the FreedomInfo.org Blog Roll at http://www.freedominfo.org/about-us/foia-blog-roll/ 94: Counting Countries with FOI regimes http://www.freedominfo.org/regions/global/foi-regimes/ OGP: Read all FreedomInfo.org articles about the OGP at http://www.freedominfo.org/regions/global/ogp/
Measuring Openness: A Resource List with entries about comprehensive efforts to compare the transparency of nations and organizations on a variety of transparency-related topics. http://www.freedominfo.org/measuring-openess/ Follow us on Twitter! http://twitter.com/freedominfoorg _______________________________________________________________ FreedomInfo.org is a one-stop portal that describes best practices, consolidates lessons learned, explains campaign strategies and tactics, and links the efforts of freedom of information advocates around the world. It contains crucial information on freedom of information laws and how they were drafted and implemented, including how various provisions have worked in practice. _______________________________________________________________
