Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 18.12.2023
The team of Access to Information Programme wishes you health and successful initiatives in 2024!
Audit on the web sites of the administrative courts and the Supreme Administrative Court 13.12.2023
On December 12, 2023, AIP presented the audit results at online conference.
21st award ceremony for the International Right To Know Day – 28 September 2023 03.10.2023
Access to Information Programme presented the annual Freedom of Information Awards to mark the 21st International Right to Know Day.
Court Cases on Access to Information about Hospital Pay Polices 17.07.2023
Desislava Nikolova, journalist for the Capital newspaper, asked questions to 10 major hospitals in Bulgaria about their pay policies, clinical pathways and other hospital activities in which their board members were involved.
Court Cases on Access to Information about the Orders for Natural Gas Supplies 26.06.2023
Civil Association “BOETs”, city of Vidin, requested public information from Bulgargaz EAD, related to the orders for natural gas supplies from Gazprom Export.
Court Cases on Access to Information about an Inspection of a Medical Facility at AETs Kozloduy EAD 22.05.2023
In 2023, Anita Cholakova, journalist for actualno.com, requested public information from the Regional Health Inspectorate – Vratsa, specifically a copy of a report from an inspection of a medical facility at AETs Kozloduy EAD. This concerned a medical facility that provides treatment to employees, including within the framework of occupational medicine.
The court reminded that mandatory instructions in the motivations of court decisions must be followed. The Sofia City Administrative Court Confirmed its Previous Judgment that the Elektroenergien Sistemen Operator EAD (ESO EAD), has to Provide Information Regarding the Tenders for the Electricity System Regulation Reserves as requested by the nongovernmental organization Za Zemiata – Access to Justice. 29.03.2023
On 9th of March 2023 the Sofia City Administrative Court (SCAC)delivered a judgment in a court case supported by AIP against а partial denial of the ESO EAD Executive Director to provide information requested by “Za Zemiata – Access to Justice” Association, which is backed by Greenpeace and the Environmental association "Za Zemiata" (For the Earth) teams.
The journalist Hristo Hristov, Long-term AIP Coordinator in Stara Zagora Passed Away 20.03.2023
On 18th of March 2023 our colleague and AIP coordinator in Stara Zagora Hristo Hristov passed away.
The Insurance Company “Lev Ins” to Dismiss the SLAPP Case against Mediapool 17.03.2023
Access to Information Programme shares the expressed concerns of Bulgarian and international nongovernmental organizations, media and journalists about the record claim for 1 million BGN from “Lev Ins” insurance company against Mediapool for a publication based on a public statement of a minister at a Council of Ministers meeting.
Commission for Anti-Corruption and Illegal Assets Forfeiture Cannot Hide if a Fine Was Imposed to a High-Ranking Politician according to Court Decision 16.03.2023
The Administrative court Sofia – City abolished the denial of the chairman of the Commission for Anti-Corruption and Illegal Assets Forfeiture to provide information if a fine was imposed to Slavi Trifonov , the leader of the Political Party “There Is Such a People”, for the lack of provision of assets and interests declaration.
The Bulgarian Agency for Food Safety is Obliged to Provide Information regarding Inspections and Their Results Carried out at the Facilities of the "Ekoravnovesie" Municipal Enterprise, Regardless of the Disagreement of the Municipal Enterprise. 16.03.2023
On March 13, 2023, a decision was issued by the Sofia City Administrative Court in a case supported by Access to Information Programme against a decision of the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Agency for Food Safety to deny access to information requested by Marta Georgieva, a municipal councilor in the Sofia Municipal Council.
Complaint against the Political Party “Vazrazhdane” filed to the Commission for Personal Data Protection 17.02.2023
With the support of AIP 22 citizens filed a complaint to the Commission for Personal Data Protection against the Political Party “Vazrazhdane” for publishing personal data.
Meeting with the Minister of Justice on the Anti-SLAPP Initiative 06.02.2023
On 31st of Jan. 2023, representatives of Access to Information Programme and the Association of European Journalists - Bulgaria (AEJ) met the Minister of Justice Krum Zarkov.
2023 Big Brother Anti-Awards in Bulgaria 28.01.2023
The winner of the Big Brother 2023 anti-award for violation of the privacy and personal data is Political Party “Vazrazhdane” for publishing the personal identification numbers (EGN) of more than 800 Bulgarian citizens aiming to be stigmatized and declared as spies.
Bulgaria Must Urgently Support EU Anti-SLAPP Initiative 23.01.2023
AIP and the Association of European Journalists-Bulgaria (AEJ) call on Bulgaria’s Minister of Justice Krum Zarkov to support the European Commission’s actions to tackle abusive litigation. The legal initiative is aimed at strengthening protection of journalists and human rights defenders against vexatious trials, known as SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation).