Survey Overview
Presentation
UNESCO provides a standardized survey to monitoring access to information, which examines the components of 鈥渁doption鈥 and 鈥渋mplementation鈥 of legal guarantees for Access to Information. The instrument is composed of a "National Questionnaire" that is sent to central oversight or support institutions for the right to information.
The National Questionnaire is divided into two sections:
- Section I: Adoption of Access to Information Laws: This section looks at the adoption aspect of the legal framework(s) guaranteeing public access to information in your country. This section contains 5 questions with some follow-up questions.
- Section II: Implementation of Access to Information Laws: This section contains 3 questions and looks at the implementation aspect of the legal framework(s) guaranteeing public access to information.
A country can obtain a total score between 0-9 points. The total score of each country will not be assigned to any level category (e.g.: low, medium or high). However, it will contribute to global aggregates, in which data will be interpreted using the sum formula to show overall trends. The trends will illustrate the state of Access to Information implementation as per 鈥淧rinciples of Access to Information鈥.
The 鈥淧rinciples of Access to Information鈥 are synthesized from existing frameworks and documents recognized internationally. For the purpose of this survey, the principles of relevance are as follows:
1. Legal frameworks for Access to Information
2. Limited exemptions
3. Oversight mechanism
4. Appeals mechanism
5. Record keeping and reporting
The respondent(s)
The survey is filled out by the central oversight institution/s that is/are responsible for Access to Information:
- For countries and associated territories which have an Access to Information Law and where that law creates an institution (or institutions) with dedicated responsibilities for overseeing that law, such as Information Commission or Commissioner; Data Protection or Privacy Commission or Commissioner; Human Rights Commission; Ombudsman.
- Where the Access to Information Law does not identify an institution that has general oversight responsibilities, another appropriate entity is identified to fill out this survey, such as a Department or Ministry or Agency.
The survey in 2022
