A European Parliament Citizens Forum discussing the draft Freedom of Information Act is to be held on the 14th of July. The forum will give the opportunity to journalists, policy makers, NGOs and citizens to debate how the law could guarantee a more open, transparent and accountable decision-making process.
The Freedom of Information Citizens Forum is being organised in conjunction with the Journalists Committee (Malta).
Presently on the agenda of the Maltese House of Representatives, the draft Freedom of Information Act follows the adoption of similar legislation in several EU member states that have gone some way in guaranteeing a openness.
Sharing his experience as a keynote speaker of the debate will be Tony Bunyan, director of Statewatch, an independent, non-profit making European Civil Liberties watchdog which encourages the publication of investigative journalism and critical research in the fields of the state, justice and home affairs, civil liberties, accountability and openness.
With vast knowledge and experience of civil liberties in Europe, Mr Bunyan will discuss how a Freedom of Information Act in Malta would legally enshrine the citizen’s right to know. The Institutions of the EU itself have not escaped Mr Bunyan’s scrutiny. He has called for a Freedom of Information Regulation governing all its institutions.
Sharing his views on the proposed law will be Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information, who will close the discussion.
This debate is the second in a series of Citizens Fora that is being organised by the European Parliament Valletta Office. They are intended to stimulate debate and raise public awareness on salient policy issues of relevance to Malta with a link to the European Parliament.
The Freedom of Information Act Citizens Forum will be held at The Grand Hotel Excelsior, Great Siege Road, Floriana on Monday, 14th July, at 6pm.
Those interested in attending are asked to register via email on epvalletta@europarl.europa.eu [1] or by calling the EP Valletta Office 21235075 by 11 July 2008.