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Media Lacks Access to Public Information

July 3, 2008

There are still some problems in Batumi when it comes to obtaining public information as provided under the law.  The newspaper Batumelebi now plans to sue several governmental bodies for this very reason.

“We requested the information about a detailed financial report for the last 6 months of 2008 from several governmental bodies.  We were interested in finding out how much money was being allocated for business trips, and how much was spent, and who exactly was taking business trips, and where did they go, why and how long did the trip last. We requested the information on June 5, 2008. Some governmental bodies did not accommodate us, or not only in part, in providing the requested information. The newspaper administration is now forced to obtain full public information by suing the governmental bodies,” states Tedo Jorbenadze, the editor of Batumelebi.

Lali Ishkhnelidze, attorney of the Human Rights Center notes that a governmental body must grant public information within the terms prescribed by General Administrative Code; that is immediately after receiving the request or with in 10 days if the requested public information has to be found and researched.

Maka Malakmadze, Batumi


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