New Law on Access to Public Information Brings Ukraine Closer to EU Standards

KYIV, Ukraine, February 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych made the next step towards European information space by signing the Law on Access to Public Information, adopted by the VerkhovnaRada (Parliament of Ukraine. - Ed.), January 13, 2010.

Having signed the Law on Access to Public Information, the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych kept his promise to the President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy, given on November 22, 2010 during the EU-Ukraine summit with regards to human rights and press freedom in terms of guaranteed access to public information.

The law clearly identifies what data is confidential. According to the law all other information including public decisions, budget expenditures - should be released to citizens within a period of five to 30 days. The Law increases protection of journalists who perform their job duties. In addition, the document prohibits the establishment of public authorities, institutions whose responsibility is to oversee the content of information disseminated by the media. The Law stipulates that those who willfully obstruct to lawful professional activities of journalists and/or prosecute journalists for the fulfillment of professional responsibilities will be liable according to the laws of Ukraine. The law also defines the principles of mass media and accreditation procedures for the journalists.

Viktor Yanukovych is convinced that the ambitious program of economic and social reforms cannot be implemented without increasing transparency in government institutions as well as without political reforms or taking decisive steps to combat corruption.

Access to Public Information will provide an opportunity to expand the rights of citizens to obtain information from public bodies, which would make the work of officials more open and transparent and, consequently, increase control over public power and virtually eliminate the possibility for corruption and malpractices in government agencies.

SOURCE Worldwide News Ukraine

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