Application of the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance in Libraries

Abstract

In this paper, the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance is presented. This legal or constitutional right is recognized in more than a hundred countries and is embedded in many international documents. The Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance (LFAIPI) was adopted in November 2004 and is considered one of the best laws. This Law regulates the rights of access to information of public importance held by public authorities, in order to realize and protect the interests of the public to know and achieve a free democratic order and an open society.

To exercise the right of access to information of public importance held by public authorities, this Law establishes the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance as a self-governing state body, independent in the exercise of its jurisdiction.

The right to free access to information as a special right ensued as a result of the development of the modern rule of law and participatory democracy in which a citizen becomes an active participant in social processes.

The primary goal of the paper is to bring this topic closer to the library community, explain the application of the Law and point out possible abuses that are increasingly occurring in practice.