OSCE Office encourages better access to state information in Armenia through annual awards
YEREVAN, 28 September 2007 - The OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Centre handed out this year's Freedom of Information awards, aimed at encouraging measures that give the public improved access to state information.
The winners received their awards in a ceremony today in Yerevan that coincided with the international Right to Know Day.
"Ensuring unimpeded public access to information and respecting the individual's right to know is one of the OSCE commitments and our Office stands ready to assist Armenia in implementing it," said Marc Bojanic, Acting Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan at the ceremony.
Charentsavan and Yerevan municipalities were recognized as the most transparent state institutions with good information delivery systems.
"This prize is a reward for last year's establishment of a new electronic document management system, also known as a 'one-window' approach, which makes it easier for citizens to receive information from us," said Grigor Melkumyan, Head of Staff at Yerevan Municipality.
The Asparez Press Club in Gyumri and journalist Angela Stepanyan of ALT TV in Armavir also won awards for their extensive use of their right of access to information.
The Armavir Municipality was deemed to have the poorest record of providing information.
An independent jury composed of nine local NGO members, journalists and experts selected the winners, based on the results of the monitoring conducted by FOI centre throughout 2007 and on their own experience.
"Since its inception in 2002, the Freedom of Information Annual Award has encouraged state institutions to serve as positive examples in being transparent and open for the public," added Shushan Doydoyan, Head of the FOI Centre.
The OSCE Office also assists Armenia in improving public access to information by organizing training courses for civil servants, journalists, state press officers and the general public.
The Freedom of Information Annual Awards were initiated by the FOI Centre with support from the OSCE Office in Yerevan.