Skapto 3 construction begins
Advocates of free information in actionPhoto by Tanya Obushtarova
Bulgaria open to access to information
By Lyubomir Ivanov
October 20, 2005
Bulgarian Freedom of Information Act works effectively
Bulgaria exhibits satisfactory freedom of access to information and it steadily develops in the right track, said Alexander Kashumov, Head of Legal Team at the Access to Information Programme (AIP), at the weekly ?Ghastly? Bunch meeting.
The topic continued from a short series of workshops organized for the first time at AUBG and led by VNG International Senior Advisor Ed Figee and VVMZ Managing Director Laurens de Man.
?The problem is the politicians,? Kashumov said explaining the major obstacle to free access to information in Bulgaria. The country demonstrates working Freedom of Information Act since the democratic reforms began. Only the government still lacked will to provide data but offered it when obliged through the law, he said.
Bulgaria enforces a law on access to information of medium but effective quality, said Kashumov. The several court cases AIP won proved the independence and efficiency of the Bulgarian judiciary system. People have to seek their rights not just sit and enjoy themselves. ?Democracy is a battle,? he said.
People in Bulgaria consider the judiciary system corrupt and inefficient, while the examples of what the AIP have done in court prove these assumptions wrong, said Aernout van Lynden, head of the JMC department and event organizer. He said information exists out there and people only need strong will to reach out and find it.
Figee said the workshops he conducted left him with a deep impression of the students? enthusiasm as they had the wish to become journalists and do something for their countries. He also said he was optimistic about the way Bulgaria advanced in free access to information.
