The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) presented to the public results of “Public Information Database – www.opendata.ge” project carried out with financial support of Open Society Georgia Foundation.
The most and the least transparent public institutions were nominated at the presentation; from all represented those institutions were awarded that publish information most pro-actively. Ministry of Defence was identified as the least transparent in that regard and was awarded a special prize – certificate with an image of padlock.
“We do not have in view to reveal the least transparent institution. We just want to enable civil society to exercise the legally provided right – to obtain information either about public servants’ salaries or their bonuses, petrol expenses, etc. Additionally, we aim at launching a culture of publishing information by state institutions in an appropriate form and terms. We hope that those institutions that are nominated as the most transparent will continue to co-operate in such an effective manner in the forthcoming year too. And certificate given to the Ministry of Defence will be changed for the one with an image of key, which is a symbol of openness” – says representative of IDFI Levan Avalishvili.
In addition, IDFI presented a new publication “Freedom of Information – Guidebook”.
The guidebook is based on the practice of IDFI in requesting public information. Using concrete cases, publication gives a realistic overview of the situation in Georgia and thorough concept of practice re accessibility of public information. On the other hand, publication can be used as a manual on freedom of information; it gives definition of essence of public information and clarification of right of citizens to request public information.
Goal of this publication is to give relevant theoretical knowledge to the interested persons and help them with appropriate interpretation and usage of legal acts regulating aspects of requesting public information.
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www.opendata.ge, launched on December 16, 2010 is a public information database including data on budget of different ministries and reserve funds, salary funds of each ministry, bonus funds of ministers and other public servants. Information posted on the website is based on the one officially received from ministries and other state agencies.
