Freedom of the Mass Media and Access to Information Proclamation No ...

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http://www.ethiopian-law.com/federal-laws/substantive-law-legislations...

12. Right of Access to Information
1)

All persons have the right to seek, obtain and communicate any information held by public bodies, except as

expressly provided for by this Proclamation.
2)

The right referred to under sub-article (1) of this Article shall include the right to be informed whether or not the

public body holds a record containing the requested information and to obtain information from any public body by means
of;
a)

inspection, taking extracts and notes;

b)

certified copies of any records of such public authority;

c)
diskettes, floppies or any other electronic mode or through print-outs where such information is stored in a
computer or in any other device.
3) Nothing in this Proclamation shall be understood as limiting the power of public bodies to provide access to information
on an informal basis.
13. Duty to Publish
1)

Any public body shall publish information concerning:

a)

its organizational structure, main duties and responsibilities;

b)

the power and responsibilities of the officials as well as decision-making procedures ;

c)

description of the services it provides for the public;

d)
brief descriptions of the complaint hearing mechanism available to the public and the public body's response to
frequently asked questions by the public;
e)

a description of the type of the records under its possession, a brief description of the contents of its records and

the detailed explanation of the procedures to be followed by persons who wish to access this information;
f)
a description of its regulations, directives, policies, guidelines and manuals, which govern the operation and
activities of its various organs, along with a description of any amendment or repeal of such provisions;
g)

its directives, regulations, guidelines and other documents which governs the activities of the employees of the

organization;
h)

the name and address of the public relation officer; and

g)

other particulars.

2)
Whenever essential changes pertaining to information provided in the above provision occur, public bodies shall
update at least once a year the publication referred to in sub-article (1) of this Article and shall provide a copy of the
publication or make available for view to any requester. Provided, that no public body may include any matter exempted
under Part Three of this Proclamation.
3)

Any public body shall:

a)

publish all relevant facts concerning important decisions and policies

that affect the public not latter than the

time at which such decisions and policies are announced;
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10/01/2011 4:15 PM

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