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2007 Assessment

Jordan: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Jordan: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Public Access to Information
Indicators		Score
12	Do citizens have a legal right of access to information?	100
13	Is the right of access to information effective?	75

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Do citizens have a legal right of access to information?

12a: In law, citizens have a right of access to government information and basic government records.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Right of Access to Government Information Law #2007 / 47 stipulates that citizens have the right to access written, recorded, and photographed government information and basic government records.

12b: In law, citizens have a right of appeal if access to a basic government record is denied.

Score:

YES

Comments: Citizens may appeal to the higher court in cases of denial.

References: no source listed

Peer Review Comments: The process is not yet in place.

12c: In law, there is an established institutional mechanism through which citizens can request government records.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Right of Access to Government Information Law # 47/ 2007 stipulates that citizens have the right to access written, recorded, and photographed government information and basic government records. Article 9 states that requests for government records must accord with the following: (i) name, address, and any other required information with regard to citizen requesting records (ii) state subject matter of desired information clearly and accurately (iii) acceptance or denial of requests for access to not exceed 30 days from request (iv) denial of access to be given with clearly spelled out reasons and justification

Is the right of access to information effective?

13a: In practice, citizens receive responses to access to information requests within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: [ LINK ]

Article 9 Right of Access to Government Information Law #2007 / 47 states that acceptance or denial of requests for access not exceed 30 days from request; denial of access to be given with clearly spelled out reasons

13b: In practice, citizens can use the access to information mechanism at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Right of Access to Government Information Law #2007 / 47

Article 11 (i) citizens requesting information bear the cost of photocopying

13c: In practice, citizens can resolve appeals to access to information requests within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Dr. Omar Aljazy, managing partner at Aljazy law firm, 12 October, 2007

Peer Review Comments: Legal procedures usually take a long time.

Peer Review Comments: Litigation and legal proceedings are usually lengthy.

13d: In practice, citizens can resolve appeals to information requests at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Dr. Omar Aljazy, managing partner at Aljazy law firm, 12 October, 2007

13e: In practice, the government gives reasons for denying an information request.

Score:

100

Comments: Based on informal interviews with a few journalists, one can conclude there is selectivity in responding to requests and giving explanations about why information is denied. The overwhelming majority of requests by journalists are answered.

References: Law on the Right of Access to Government Information and Basic Records 2007/47 Article 11(iv) stipulates that, in the case of denial of access, clearly spelled out and specific reasons must be given.

Press and Press and Publication Law # 27 of 2007 is read with Press and Publication Law #8 of 1998, [ LINK ]; together with its amendments, the laws stipulate that it is the right of journalists to obtain the information they require from government agencies.

Peer Review Comments: In the overwhelming majority of cases the government provides no reasons for denying such requests.