11,462 Applications for Access to Information Submitted in 2014

Sofia, July 7 (BTA) - A total of 11,462 applications for access
to information were submitted in 2014, Access to Information
Programme (AIP) Executive Director Gergana Zhouleva told a
BTA-hosted news conference on Tuesday. The news conference was
occasioned by the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Access
to Public Information Act.

The largest part of those applications were submitted by members
of the general public, followed by journalists, businesses, and
NGOs. Since 2009, such applications have also been filed by
stateless persons and foreigners.

Applicants most often seek information which would help them
exercise their rights - this is the case with 40 per cent of all
applications. The second most needed type of information
concerns the accountability of public institutions.

AIP, which offers free legal assistance to information seekers,
has provided advice in 7,000 cases. Law expert Kiril Terziiski
said that the programme has supported over 400
access-to-information lawsuits.

Commenting on proposed amendments to the Access to Public
Information Act, AIP's Alexander Kashumov said that electronic
access to information is being expanded to allow seekers to use
entire databases of documents. Kashumov called for better
regulation of penalties. AIP believes that there should be a
single authority to monitor compliance with the Access to Public
Information Act.