Global Survey 2004: Freedom of Information and Access to Government Record Laws Around the World

This report on laws opening government records and processes found that over fifty countries have adopted comprehensive laws to facilitate access and over thirty more were in the process of adoption in 2004. The laws are broadly similar, allowing for a general right by citizens, residents and often anyone else to demand information from government bodies. The study found that many of the laws, however, are not adequate and promote access in name only. A 2006 update of the report is also available. With a global map of National Freedom of Information Laws. In Arabic, English and Russian.(Original source: http://www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd[347]=x-347-61376&als[theme]=Freedom%20of%20Information)