Panama’s Executive Branch has presented a comprehensive bill to reform the country’s transparency and information access laws, aiming to align national standards with international frameworks such as the Inter-American Model Law. The initiative expands the scope of the existing 2002 law, ensuring that citizens receive timely, complete, and accurate public information to effectively exercise their rights. This legislative update addresses critical gaps in accountability by defining obligated entities, establishing clear procedures for information requests, and implementing strict sanctions for non-compliance. By strengthening these mechanisms, the government seeks to combat corruption, which the minister identifies as a severe global threat. The proposed changes intend to foster greater trust in public institutions through enhanced administrative transparency. UNESCO has praised this reform as a transformative opportunity to exceed regional benchmarks. For open data advocates, this development is highly relevant as it legally mandates better data accessibility and publication standards. It signals a significant step toward making government data more open, usable, and accountable, potentially setting a stronger precedent for civic engagement and anti-corruption efforts in the region.
Source:Published on 2023-04-28
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