[Draft] Freedom of Information Act

[Mediterreania]

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Freedom of Information Act
A resolution to increase democratic freedoms.

Category: Furtherment of Democracy | Strength: Mild | Proposed by: Mediterreania

RECOGNIZING the need for an informed populace;

NOTING the role a knowledgable society plays in preventing tyranny;

AWKNOWLEDGING that some nations may still hide information for national security;

STRIVING for a world where information is freely available;

The World Assembly therefore;

DEFINES:
1) "Electoral government" as any government, such as democracy, republic or populism, which uses elections to fill government positions and/or decide public policy;
2) "Non-electoral government" as any government, such as monarchy, fascism or "dictatorship of the proleteriat," which does not use elections;
3) "Stateless government" as any nation, such as an anarchy, in which there is no single or formal state;

CREATES the Information Center-Electronic (ICE), an electronic database which records official legislative acts in WA nations;

MANDATES that WA nations, in order to keep their citizens informed, open the information in ICE to their residents;

ALLOWS nations to charge a fee for that information, as long as the average citizen is capable of paying that fee;

COMMANDS that all WA nations update ICE with any legislative information that would be made public in their own nation;

REQUIRES non-electoral, as well as electoral, governments make public within their own borders all official acts of government, as well as:
1) Crime statistics and arrest rates
2) Economic indicators, such as GDP and exchange rates
3) Environmental disasters and recovery;

ALSO REQUIRES URGES stateless governments to disclose any available information of actions of past governments, classified or otherwise;

RECOMMENDS that electoral governments give information on the political views and/or history of major candidates to public office;

EXEMPTS information about projects, facilities or operations that have been open up to ten 25 years ago, if the information has been determined by at least two agencies to be critical to national security;

URGES nations to create a more open world.

[Grays Harbor]

We are curious just how you plan on getting

"Stateless government" as any nation, such as an anarchy, in which there is no single or formal state;

a government which is not really a government to comply?

[Seoun]

Honestly, I think you'd have a better chance of getting your proposal recognized by the WA, if you instead, listed your reason as "Moral Decency" or "Equal Rights", other than what it is currently; "Furthering Democracy". Not ever nation here is a democracy, and many would like to stay that way.

[Mediterreania]

We are curious just how you plan on getting

"Stateless government" as any nation, such as an anarchy, in which there is no single or formal state;

a government which is not really a government to comply?

Basically, anarchists have to release the documents of the previous government to comply.

[Mediterreania]

Honestly, I think you'd have a better chance of getting your proposal recognized by the WA, if you instead, listed your reason as "Moral Decency" or "Equal Rights", other than what it is currently; "Furthering Democracy". Not ever nation here is a democracy, and many would like to stay that way.

An informed people is important to democracy. And if you read the act, you would see that it is still very open to "non-electoral governments".

[Seoun]

Honestly, I think you'd have a better chance of getting your proposal recognized by the WA, if you instead, listed your reason as "Moral Decency" or "Equal Rights", other than what it is currently; "Furthering Democracy". Not ever nation here is a democracy, and many would like to stay that way.

An informed people is important to democracy. And if you read the act, you would see that it is still very open to "non-electoral governments".

Yes-- I just went through it again...I'm so sorry for wasting your time! xD

[Mediterreania]

Honestly, I think you'd have a better chance of getting your proposal recognized by the WA, if you instead, listed your reason as "Moral Decency" or "Equal Rights", other than what it is currently; "Furthering Democracy". Not ever nation here is a democracy, and many would like to stay that way.

An informed people is important to democracy. And if you read the act, you would see that it is still very open to "non-electoral governments".

Yes-- I just went through it again...I'm so sorry for wasting your time! xD

It's alright. So, you support it?

[Grays Harbor]

We are curious just how you plan on getting

"Stateless government" as any nation, such as an anarchy, in which there is no single or formal state;

a government which is not really a government to comply?

Basically, anarchists have to release the documents of the previous government to comply.

Which has not answered my question. If there is no government, who is going to "comply" Sven the resident conspiracy buff down the block? Will he be the one to release documents of a former government? How about we round up all the anarchists and threaten to not release them until they get all the papers from the previous government and put them on your little file system?

It is all well and good to make grandiose sweeping declarations. It would be refreshing to actually put a little thought on actual compliance instead of just repeating "because they have to" like some bloody parrot.

[Freeoplis]

EXEMPTS information about projects, facilities or operations that have been open up to ten years ago, if the information has been determined by at least two agencies to be critical to national security;

The time frame for such an exemption we feel should be extended as 10 years is not adequate, the reason being that it is possible for a government or head of state to rule for a period exceeding 10 years and therefore information relating to national security could affect such stable government if it were to be released about the current government or head of state, also past members of government could potentially be put in danger if such information related to matters involving terrorism and the infiltration of such activities is made public, we would recommend a period of at least 50 years at the least but would push for a figure closer to 75 years.

[Charlotte Ryberg]

Hmm, I'm not sure if it is necessary to define a government, as the term is pretty much self-explanatory. Democratic, devolved or tyrannical, it's still called a government. Also, the draft needs to take into account about national secrets. Also, some member states may not want to give information for free, yet if they charge a fee, it must be reasonable and not prohibitory.

[Penguton]

EXEMPTS information about projects, facilities or operations that have been open up to ten years ago, if the information has been determined by at least two agencies to be critical to national security;

The time frame for such an exemption we feel should be extended as 10 years is not adequate, the reason being that it is possible for a government or head of state to rule for a period exceeding 10 years and therefore information relating to national security could affect such stable government if it were to be released about the current government or head of state, also past members of government could potentially be put in danger if such information related to matters involving terrorism and the infiltration of such activities is made public, we would recommend a period of at least 50 years at the least but would push for a figure closer to 75 years.

I feel 25 years would be adequte. 50 or 75 years is quite a long time to keep information from the public. The point of this bill, as I read it, is to bring about more transparency in the way governments function. To with hold information for so long would not really help this goal, as it would be possible for certain facts to be lossed over time.

[Southrons United]

It may be a good Resolution but it will not make due to the vagueness.

[Penguton]

It may be a good Resolution but it will not make due to the vagueness.

I agree. While I like the intentions of this act, I don't foresee this passing if it comes up to vote. Perhaps with more refinment, it could become a contender, though.

[Freeoplis]

I feel 25 years would be adequte. 50 or 75 years is quite a long time to keep information from the public. The point of this bill, as I read it, is to bring about more transparency in the way governments function. To with hold information for so long would not really help this goal, as it would be possible for certain facts to be lossed over time.

We concede 25 years may be sufficient, but definitely more than 10 years is required before we can lend our support.

[Bears Armed]

I feel 25 years would be adequate. 50 or 75 years is quite a long time to keep information from the public.

The Elves might disagree...

[Hirota]

I like it, aside from maybe nailing down if it's 10 years, 25 years or whatever, I'd also like to see the first clause of the preamble beefed up a bit.

[Bears Armed]

We are curious just how you plan on getting

"Stateless government" as any nation, such as an anarchy, in which there is no single or formal state;

a government which is not really a government to comply?

Basically, anarchists have to release the documents of the previous government to comply.

But what if they've already burnt those records, with or without burning the government buildings concerned as well?

[Mediterreania]

Any constructive suggestions? Additions? Refinements?

[Manticore Reborn]

We echo the thoughts of our esteemed colleague from Charlotte Ryberg and wonder why the author feels the need to define "government". It is a self explanatory term. We recommend that all three clauses be struck.

The Kingdom of Manticore Reborn does not care for the clause "STRIVING for a world where information is free, both figuratively and financially;" as written and recommends the following change:
"STRIVING for a more open world where information is freely available"

My government also recommends that the clause stating respect for non-democratic forms of government be completely struck as this is not needed for the intent of the legislation.

Manricore Reborn also questions the wording of the following: "CREATES an international database, Information Center-Electronic (ICE), which records official acts of legislature in WA nations;"
We recommend the following: CREATES the Information Center-Electronic (ICE), an international database, to record all official legislative acts established in member states;
A non-democratic nation, i.e. a dictatorship, does not have a legislature per se, but the dictator still creates laws, etc.. and these are legislative acts and should be recorded, if for no other reason then to use at said dictator's trial when they are overthrown.

The final clause of this act is also rather cumbersome. We would recommend a through copy-edit of it.

The humble representative from the Kingdom of Manticore Reborn yields the floor.

[Grays Harbor]

Any constructive suggestions? Additions? Refinements?

Yes, we have a suggestion. File this under "It sounded like a good idea at the time" and forget it.

[East Ying]

The Delegation lightened up after reading through the bill. It was the first piece of legislation that seemed to have a point to make. Something actually do.

'The Delegation of East Ying would like to personally commend the author for his bravery in the field of opening such dark chasms of intel for the WA member states. Aside from the flattery, however, we would like to go on to approve this proposal, and we offer support to the honourable author, should he desire it.'

[Mediterreania]

Actual suggestions to content?

[East Ying]

I haz none

[Mediterreania]

Done.

[Penguton]

The Protectorate of Penguton is proud to offer our support to the author of this legislation. We feel that the Freedom of Information Act will bring the world one step closer to a more open world.