Freedom of information draft bill to be released 9 March

The final draft of the freedom of information law will be put out for discussion in its final draft on 9 March, Justice Minister Ahmed Mekky said during a press conference.

“We have come today to bring to the light a law consistent with all state institutions in order for all citizens to acquire their right of knowledge, because that is a right and a duty at the same time,” the minister said.

Mekky added, “We wanted to take a step forward and change some paragraphs in the law in order to complete its features.”

“Egypt has become backwards and under developed,” the minister added. “This law [was written] to address the widespread corruption in this country, and we decided to put an end to it before it spreads.”

In related news, Ashraf Tamer, the representative of the Defense Ministry, the General Intelligence and the National Security, said that all three institutions will respond in writing to the bill before 9 March.