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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Law on free access to information passed

Belgrade, 2 November 2004

The Serbian parliament passed today the Law on free access to information of public interest, designed to ensure that information at the disposal of state institutions be available to all citizens under equal conditions, through mediation by the Information Trustee.

Along with easier access to information, the law bans state bodies from granting privilege to any journalist or media organisation. The law also bans discrimination in granting anyone access to information, specifically but not only discrimination of racial, religious, or ethnic kind.

Information of public interest is defined as something that everyone has the right to know, especially when it comes to information relating to hazards to the health of people or environment, such as data on epidemics or environmental disasters.

Access will not be granted to information that could put someone’s life or health in danger, impede legal proceedings or a trial, jeopardise the defence or safety of the country, hinder economic processes, or when the information requested is confidential to the state.

The law requires that state bodies give an answer whether they have the information requested within 15 days’ time and allow access to it. If the information requested is of life and death significance for an individual or the population, it should be provided within 48 hours.