"How can racist, xenophobic propaganda be proscribed without trespassing on individual freedom of expression? How can a suspect’s right to be presumed innocent be protected without placing restrictions on the public’s right to information? Where should we draw the line concerning the criticism o
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f politicians by the media? It is by answering these and many similar questions over a period of almost fifty years that the European Court of Human Rights has developed its case-law in respect of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, presented in summary form in this human rights file." (Back cover)
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This document presents a methodology for evaluating the contribution that communication interventions can make to accountable governance. CommGAP engages in complementary programme areas in an effort to amplify citizen voice; promote free, independent, and plural media systems; and help government i
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nstitutions communicate better with their citizens. The three programme areas are: research and advocacy; capacity building and training; and support for development projects. This document describes the evaluation framework - that is, the outcome and impact indicators, and the methodology behind the assessment - that CommGAP has developed.
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"In passing and implementing the Access to Information Act 2002, Jamaica has established a new and more open form of governance and accomplished what many other countries are still attempting. The Act, which provides citizens an enforceable right to official documents held by public authorities, is
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key to enhancing democracy, ensuring citizens’ participation, and building greater trust in Government decision making. Access to public documents can assist citizens in exercising their other fundamental socioeconomic rights, such as the right to housing, appropriate health care, and a clean and healthy environment, and it can serve to make government more efficient and effective. Passing an access to information law is, relatively speaking, easy in comparison to the practise of implementation, which can be challenging for any country. Successful implementation of an open information regime requires a commitment of resources (human, financial, and time), preparation of public bodies, development of procedures, change in culture and behaviours, and expertise. It is clear that the Jamaican Government and its public authorities, who entered into effect in phases with the final large group beginning in July 2005, have made great progress in the implementation of the Act including training of civil servants in the law and best practices. Many of the efforts in Jamaica serve as a model for other jurisdictions. However, as with any new regime there is the potential for constructive reform and advancement." (Introduction)
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"This report records and analyzes the results of a study in which partners of the Justice Initiative in 14 countries filed a total of 1,926 requests for information. In each country, seven different requesters twice submitted up to 70 questions to 18 public institutions. Requesters included NGOs, jo
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urnalists, business persons, non-affiliated persons, and members of excluded groups, such as illiterate or disabled persons or those from vulnerable minorities. The requests were for the types of information that public bodies hold—or should hold." (Summary of findings, page 11)
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"This manual for public officials is designed as a resource for officials who want to adopt administrative practices that conform to the best standards of freedom of information. It should help them to make their work and procedures more professional, which will increase the public’s trust in and
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appreciation of their administration. This manual can be used in three basic ways: used as a teaching guide for trainers running courses for public officials responsible for handling information requests; used as a learning tool by such officials – in other words they can work through the manual on their own; used as a reference tool by officials who have already gone through a training course." (Introduction)
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"This Practical Guidance Note aims to: heighten awareness and knowledge within UNDP country offices (COs) on right to information generally and right to information legislation specifically; assist COs by providing practical information and guidance for right to information legislation programming;
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signpost additional resources, sources of expertise and further reading." (Executive summary)
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"The evidence of the Ghana and Nigeria experiences suggests that prospects of realising the right to information are more propitious if the challenge is civil society led and driven. The successful passage of a right to information act in any one country should also provide the necessary impetus for
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other countries to join the global wave of change towards greater disclosure and transparency." (Conclusion)
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"The first section provides summary information on 69 UNDP supported projects and initiatives as of 2002/03. These initiatives were identified primarily by desk research from three main sources: (i) direct feedback from the Sub-Regional Resource Facilities (SURFs)2), the COs and Regional Bureaux, (i
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i) scanning of UNDP intranet databases and internal reporting systems especially the data contained in the ROAR3), and (iii) scanning of the internet including CO, SURF and Regional Bureaux websites and general Internet searches [...] The second section provides information on more than 100 international organizations actively working on Access to Information issues. The majority of these organizations work with developing countries to promote freedom of expression and information. They were identified through (i) internet and literature searches (ii) direct feedback from country offices, regional bureaux and SURFs and (iii) referrals from within and outside UNDP." (Page 6)
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