Ukrainian Presidency: The freedom of access to information in Ukraine was never that high before

Denis Ivanesko, Head of the Main Department
of Information in the Administration of the
Ukrainian President

The freedom of access to the public information and media in Ukraine was never that high before as it is on the current stage, stressed Denis Ivanesko, the head of the Main Department of Information in the Administration of Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovich.

He also added that after the law about the access to the public information was adopted in Ukraine it became obvious that this law had positive consequences, and the Ukrainian authorities can provide all the needed information requested by Ukrainian citizens and media.

“During the term of 16 months since the law was adopted the special services and the authorities provided more than 50 thousand answers on different questions and citizens’ requests and opened more than 230 thousand documents. 92% requests were answered during the standard terms of five days which is four times faster than in USA”, said Mr. Ivanesko.

Mr. Ivanesko also stressed that it is easier and faster now to get the information for the media and journalists.

According to the terms of the old law the standard time of waiting after the information request consisted of 30 days, but it’s too long period of time, and the information won’t be actual and needed anymore after so long time, said the head on Information Department. Now this term was shortened till only five days, which made the work of journalists more productive, added Mr. Ivanesko.  

In addition to that the authorities can provide now to the journalists even the information which could be even unfavorable for the officials. Thus since the law was adopted the information about taxes and incomes of Ukrainian officials became available for the requests of the journalists making those dates the public documents.

Mr. Ivanesko said that such openness doesn’t exist even in EU, where the papers documenting the taxes and incomes of the authorities are required for the ministers and high officials only.

We would also remind that the special state’s body tasked with the observing and controlling the right for freedom of information and freedom of access to the information was created in Ukraine on 26 September 2012.