Tomorrow, on September 1st, the time has come: The Freedom of Information Act, which was decided under the Turquoise Green Federal Government, comes into force. The outdated official secret will be deleted from the constitution after 100 years. “Austria was the last EU country that had this relic in the constitution. From now on it says: Transparency instead of secrecy-a real cultural change for our country,” emphasizes Alma Zadić, deputy. Club chairwoman and constitutional spokeswoman for the Greens.
From now on, public bodies have to inform Citizens: Interior if they want to know something. This applies to all public offices – from the federal ministries to the federal states to the smallest community, and also to state -related companies. A grip on the phone is enough. In addition, authorities must publish information from a general interest online centrally. “Knowledge means power – and this power belongs to the hands of the population. From now on, citizens can request information on the inside and thus receive an effective means of understanding and shaping governmental action. Glass state instead of glass citizens: Inside – we have always fought Greens for this,” explains Zadić.
“This law is a milestone for democracy and transparency in Austria. Without the decades of many NGOs – and without the Greens in the government – it would not exist today. Now after almost 100 years, freedom of information is finally becoming a reality,” emphasizes Zadić.
“This is a day to celebrate: Austria is now a country in which citizens have a fundamental right to access information. Transparency is not only the best protection against corruption, it makes our democracy more, more lively and open. Baba official secret – hello freedom of information!” Zadić is in conclusion.
OTS original text press release with the exclusive in terms of content of the sender – www.ots.at | FMB