In the EU Information center in Skopje, today was held panel discussion for the need of greater application of access to public information in the function of better informing by the media. In fact, in this way started the realization of the project ,,Access to information- source for better informing’’, financed by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), which realize the Centre for citizen communication in cooperation with the Access Info Europe and Balkan Research Networks BRN.
   Journalists, representatives of non-governmental organizations and the Commission for Protection of the Right to Free Access to Public Information discussed for the implementation of the Law and for the current weaknesses in the access to public information.
   At the same time, was determined the rare application of the Law for Free Access to Public Information by the journalists, as a consequence of too long deadlines for obtaining response, limited transparency of certain institutions, but and for the slight familiarity of the representatives of the media with the Law.
   The moderator Sabina Fakich in this context disclosed the preliminary results of the implemented research, and by which 60 leading journalists in the country, even 58 percent have never submitted request.
   The Ambassador of the Delegation of European Union in Macedonia, Aivo Orav, greeted the implementation of the Law, brought in 2006, but said that it is necessary further strengthening in this instrument by the Government, as it is indicated in the Annual for the progress for 2011. It is necessary to change and upgrade the existing legislation for access to information, as well financial and politic support of the Commission, with the purpose to respond of the submitted complaints for silence of administration, said Orav. According to him, better informed citizens and journalists have the possibility to give better and greater contribution in the implementation of the reforms.
   Promoting the need for amendment of the Law, mainly from the aspect of the too long deadlines, journalists and representatives of non-governmental sector were the only one that the closure of certain institution could exceed with persistence and constant requesting information from them.
   The member of the Commission and its spokesman Boban Panovski, pointed out that the prescribed deadlines for giving of information by the holders brought into accord with European standards. Panovski said that is evident also from the laws of Great Britain, USA, France, Italy, Germany. Reminding that the deadline for oral requesting information is only 5 days, he pointed out that from the great number of the arrived subjects to the Commission in last year, only two complaints were from the journalists. In relation with the quality of information which the journalists gain from the officials, Panovski pointed out that the trainings are in progress and it is matter of greater education of the persons obligated for mediation with public information.