NewsWhore
05-01-2007, 05:00 PM
Lawyers at the Office for the Reorganization of Transit (OPRET) will study the judgment issued by the Disputes, Taxation and Administrative Tribunal on Friday, which ordered them to present journalist Luis Eduardo Lora (Huchi) with documents detailing plans and geological studies for the Santo Domingo Metro. Lora took OPRET director Diandino Pena and the Presidency to court on 13 February demanding the information. Diandino Pena said that once lawyers receive the ruling it would be studied in order to determine if it is line with the law. Pena's initial reaction was that the judgment was aimed at damaging the metro and the government.
Nevertheless, a Monday press release from OPRET that was distributed from the Presidential Palace indicated that OPRET would supply all the information requested about the metro construction.
An editorial in Monday's Listin Diario comments that the judgment is a first success for the Dominican freedom of information act (Law 200-04), observing that "until now journalists had to stand by and watch how the law was met by the veil of impunity and indifference from government officials".
"It was high time that the Free Access to Public Information Law was recognized and respected, with a judgment that is more than fair and sends a clear message to society: as of now, it is a law that will be applied whether they like it or not, that is, defeating the resistance, negative or suspicious attitude of many government officials to providing the information that the public has a legitimate right to know".
Lora said he would be at the OPRET offices today (Tuesday) in order to pick up the Metro plans and studies, "because the judgment says that OPRET needs to deliver the requested documents immediately."
In an interview with Diario Libre, Lora described the judgment as "historic, and a judgment in favor of transparency and democracy." "It is a blow against secrecy, the darkness with which the state has traditionally handled itself. Governments believe they are the owners of power, and that citizens only exist to vote for them and pay taxes, as they do not recognize that citizens have the right to demand accountability. This sets a precedent that will allow society to take a quantum leap; it is one of the most important things that has happened here."
"I believe that from the moment the court issued that judgment, this society changed because it has implemented this law that not only gives journalists the right to ask questions, but allows anyone to ask the government to be accountable, and ask what is done with public money," commented Lora.
The historic judgment was delivered by judges Sara Henriquez, Yadira de Moya, Judith Contreras, Julian Henriquez and Federico Fernandez. It establishes that OPRET needs to pay RD$5,000 for each day that it delays handing over the information.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)
Nevertheless, a Monday press release from OPRET that was distributed from the Presidential Palace indicated that OPRET would supply all the information requested about the metro construction.
An editorial in Monday's Listin Diario comments that the judgment is a first success for the Dominican freedom of information act (Law 200-04), observing that "until now journalists had to stand by and watch how the law was met by the veil of impunity and indifference from government officials".
"It was high time that the Free Access to Public Information Law was recognized and respected, with a judgment that is more than fair and sends a clear message to society: as of now, it is a law that will be applied whether they like it or not, that is, defeating the resistance, negative or suspicious attitude of many government officials to providing the information that the public has a legitimate right to know".
Lora said he would be at the OPRET offices today (Tuesday) in order to pick up the Metro plans and studies, "because the judgment says that OPRET needs to deliver the requested documents immediately."
In an interview with Diario Libre, Lora described the judgment as "historic, and a judgment in favor of transparency and democracy." "It is a blow against secrecy, the darkness with which the state has traditionally handled itself. Governments believe they are the owners of power, and that citizens only exist to vote for them and pay taxes, as they do not recognize that citizens have the right to demand accountability. This sets a precedent that will allow society to take a quantum leap; it is one of the most important things that has happened here."
"I believe that from the moment the court issued that judgment, this society changed because it has implemented this law that not only gives journalists the right to ask questions, but allows anyone to ask the government to be accountable, and ask what is done with public money," commented Lora.
The historic judgment was delivered by judges Sara Henriquez, Yadira de Moya, Judith Contreras, Julian Henriquez and Federico Fernandez. It establishes that OPRET needs to pay RD$5,000 for each day that it delays handing over the information.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)