New Law on Access to Public Information Brings Ukraine Closer to EU Standards

KYIV, Ukraine, February 6, 2011 - Last week President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych made the next step
towards European information space by signing the Law on Access to Public
Information, adopted by the VerkhovnaRada (Parliament of Ukraine. - Ed.),
January 13, 2010.

Having signed the Law on Access to Public Information, the
President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych kept his promise to the President of
the European Council Herman van Rompuy, given on November 22, 2010 during the
EU-Ukraine summit with regards to human rights and press freedom in terms of
guaranteed access to public information.

The law clearly identifies what data is confidential.
According to the law all other information including public decisions, budget
expenditures - should be released to citizens within a period of five to 30
days. The Law increases protection of journalists who perform their job
duties. In addition, the document prohibits the establishment of public
authorities, institutions whose responsibility is to oversee the content of
information disseminated by the media. The Law stipulates that those who
willfully obstruct to lawful professional activities of journalists and/or
prosecute journalists for the fulfillment of professional responsibilities
will be liable according to the laws of Ukraine. The law also defines the
principles of mass media and accreditation procedures for the journalists.

Viktor Yanukovych is convinced that the ambitious program of
economic and social reforms cannot be implemented without increasing
transparency in government institutions as well as without political reforms
or taking decisive steps to combat corruption.

Access to Public Information will provide an opportunity to
expand the rights of citizens to obtain information from public bodies, which
would make the work of officials more open and transparent and, consequently,
increase control over public power and virtually eliminate the possibility
for corruption and malpractices in government agencies.

For more information, please contact Maryna Khorunzha
+380509151565 news at wnu-ukraine.com, Project Manager at Worldwide News Ukraine