Status of the right to information in Pacific Island countries
GLOBAL RTI RATING - RTI ACT Section Points Right of Access Scope Requesting Procedures Exceptions & Refusal Appeals Sanctions & Protections Promotional Measures
Max Score
4 15 16 15 14 3 2
6 30 30 30 30 8 16
∑ = 69
∑ = 150
Figure 4: Quality of RTI Laws Dashboard Right of Access Country Vanuatu Fiji Palau Cook Isl. ALL PICs TOTAL
Scope
Request Exceptions & Procedure Refusals
Max Max Score Max Score Score 6 30 30 3 26 21 4 16 11 4 16 2 4 15 16 15/24 73/120 50/120 62% 60% 41%
Max Score 30 23 10 5 15 53/120 44%
Appeals
Sanctions & Promotional Protections Measures
Max Score Max Score 8 Max Score 16 30 26 6 14 11 2 10 5 1 0 14 3 2 56/120 12/32 26/64 46% 37% 40%
TOTAL 150 119 (79%) 64 (42%) 33 (22%) 69 (46%) 285/600 47%
The majority of the laws could be improved in their definitions of scope; defining the processes for handling requests; restricting exemptions; defining or providing for an appeals process; adequately sanctioning underperforming or obstructive public bodies; protecting public officers and whistleblowers; and providing for effective or adequate promotional measures.
B. Institutional framework support In this part, the presence or absence of key institutional supports (that is, internal bodies that coordinate, administer and oversee the administration of the laws and the appeals process) is highlighted. Such bodies include nodal agencies,80 designated information officers and oversight mechanisms (whether in the form of an Information Commissioner, Ombudsman or another agency) (see Figure 5).
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