Press Release
June 18, 2008

Draft Amendments to Bulgarian Access to Public Information Act Passed Two Parliamentary Committees

On May 28, 2008, a group of MPs from the opposition Union of Democratic Forces introduced draft amendments to the Bulgarian Access to Public Information Act (APIA) which were based on recommendations for necessary amendments to the APIA, formulated by AIP in 2007 and 2008 and presented in AIP’s Annual Reports Access to Information in Bulgaria.

Main points in the Draft Law include:
1. Expansion of the scope of obliged bodies by including the regional offices of the central authorities.
2. Expansion of the scope of obliged bodies by including companies financed or controlled by the state.
3. Introducing obligation for proactive publication of information online
4. More clear definition of specific categories of information for proactive publication.
5. Introducing the public interest test.

Two parliamentary committees have already approved the draft amendments. (European Affairs Committee and the State Administration Affairs Committee).

AIP presented opinion statements in all sessions held until now.

A hearing in the leading Civil Society and Media Committee is forthcoming.

Access to Information Programme Team