GONG Launches Information Campaign

GONG

September 28, the International Day of the Right to Access Information has been marked all over the world since 2002, aiming to raise the public awareness on the citizens� right to access information.

Havin in mind that the citizens of Croatia lack systemic and sufficient information on this right, GONG launches a campaign, under its �Good Governance� project, to inform the public about the right and freedom to access information.

The campaign includes two-weeks of media campaign in the radio and television stations that agreed to air the spot produced for the campaign free-of-charge, but also a round of �Civic Classes�, debates and radio programmes discussing this topic.

The right and the freedom to access information owned by bodies of public governance is one of the basic human rights, protected in the Constitution and the international treaties ratified by Croatia. Today, it is considered a basic requirement for democratization of society and creation of active citizenry capable of making informed decisions on developments in the community.

Almost all transition countries, most countries in Europe and more than 60 countries all over the world have adopted legislation securing the freedom of access to information. Croatia adopted its Law in 2003.

GONG�s web-site (www.gong.hr) offers the citizens directions and proper forms that lead them through the process of application for information held by public administration bodies. In addition, visitors can download the electronic version of the �Lost-Found� booklet, citizens� guide through the bodies of public administration, with useful information on the whole process of requesting information.

GONG monitors the work of public administration bodies and institutions regarding the implementation of the Law on Freedom of Access to Information (it conducted a survey on this topic in the beginning of this year), but also advocates improvements in the existing Law.