Work begins to update Freedom of Information laws

A new law on Freedom of Information will be adopted in Georgia.

Non-Governmental organisations (NGO) have been working on the draft law with the Ministry of Justice. The first public discussion about the proposed law changes was held today.

The action plan, presented by the Ministry, will see the creation of three working groups. One group will help define the public information and the rules of its revelation, another group will set exclusions and limitations and the final group will be in charge of disputes connected with the public information and the regulatory authority.

The regulatory body of the freedom of information will be created with the adoption of the new law, as the institute of the Commissioner.It has not been decided if the institute will be a subject of the Public Defender or exist independently.

In general, the Commissioner must be free from any political influence and have all the relative competencies towards the public information. The candidate will be responsible for not issuing public information and sanctioning administrative bodies, as well as consulting interested parties about requesting public information.

Currently, the law regulating the use of public information has several imperfections, one being unequal processing of public information. The article stated information had to be issued immediately but it is unclear exactly what the word "immediately” implied.

Obtaining a public registry has also been seen to be problematic. Representatives of the NGOs who participated in the discussion, Institute for Development of Freedom of Information and Open Society Georgia, believe all current imperfections must be considered under the new law.