The Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, the OSCE Mission to Serbia, the NGO Freedom of Information Coalition, the Association of Serbian Journalists and the Independent Journalists Association of Serbia held a meeting today to commend the Right to Know Day, 28 September, with the attendance of numerous representatives from the media, citizens' associations, public authorities and members of the diplomatic chorus. The addresses at the meeting were made by Mr. Rodoljub Sabic, Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, Ombudsman Mr. Sasa Jankovic and Mr. Giovanni Gabassi, Chief of Cabinet of the ambassador of the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

The meeting was an opportunity to introduce the publication "V - Free Access to Information – Commissioner's Attitudes and Opinions" and the Platform for Preparation of Information Booklets of Public Authorities.

In commendation of the Right to Know Day, Commissioner Rodoljub Sabic said:

"The International Right to Know Day is an opportunity to observe that, although implementation of the Law on Free Access to Information has yielded obvious results, there is little reason to be satisfied. There are still a lot of problems and incidents, which is best seen from the continual huge number of complaints lodged with the Commissioner. A special reason for dissatisfaction is lack of willingness of competent authorities to address some chronic issues which have been observed a long time ago, including almost complete lack of responsibility for violation of the law.

This is why the Award Committee decided not to present the main recognition, the Special Award and the statuette for the largest contribution to affirmation of the right of access to information and transparency of work, in the category of all public authorities.

But, in any case, it is commendable that we are able to honour on this day those who contribute to the exercise of the right to know."

This year again the awardees were selected by the Committee comprised of the heads of the Association of Serbian Journalists and the Independent Journalists Association of Serbia, a representative of the academia and a representative of the NGO Freedom of Information Coalition, while Commissioner Rodoljub Sabic presented the awards.

The award in the competition for "The Best Information Booklet on the Work of Public Authorities" was presented to Ministry of Internal Affairs. The award was collected by Ms Biljana Popovic Ivkovic, State Secretary at the Ministry.

The award for contribution to affirmation of the right of access to information of public importance and transparency of work in the category of the highest public authorities was presented to the Supreme Court of Cassation. Mr. Dragomir Milojevic, President of the Court, received the award.

The award for contribution to affirmation of the right of access to information of public importance and transparency of work in the category of national public authorities was presented to the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure. The award was collected by Mr. Miodrag Poledica, State Secretary at the Ministry.

The award for contribution to affirmation of the right of access to information of public importance and transparency of work in the category of national agencies, institutes and other organisations was presented to the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia. Mr. Jugoslav Nikolic, Director of the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia, received collected the award.

The award for contribution to affirmation of the right of access to information of public importance and transparency of work in the category of provincial public authorities was presented to the Provincial Secretariat for Urban Planning and Environment Protection. The award was collected by Mr. Aleksandar Andric, Deputy Provincial Secretary.

The award for contribution to affirmation of the right of access to information of public importance and transparency of work in the category of local self-government public authorities was presented to the municipality of Indjia. The award was collected by Mr. Vladimir Gak, President of the municipality.