The proposed modification to Panama’s Transparency Law faces strong opposition from civil society, media organizations, and the Attorney General, who argue that it threatens public access to information and could shield corruption. The Inter-American Press Society warns that replacing a successful existing framework would undermine regional anti-corruption efforts and dismisses the initiative as unnecessary given the current law’s efficacy. They emphasize that the lack of a broad consultation process further delegitimizes the effort, urging the government to withdraw the bill entirely. The Attorney General reinforces this stance by recommending that the project be shelved until the next administration, citing the high political risk of passing such a sensitive measure without consensus. He argues that the current legislation is robust and does not require urgent revision, suggesting that rushing the process invites future repeal by incoming officials who may view the law through a partisan lens. The argument centers on caution, asserting that there is no legal conflict between transparency rights and data protection that necessitates a new law. This article is critical for open data advocates as it highlights the tension between institutional transparency and data privacy regulations. It illustrates how well-functioning open data frameworks can be jeopardized by poorly consultative legislative processes. The controversy underscores the importance of maintaining strong, clear access-to-information laws that balance fundamental rights, serving as a cautionary tale for regions considering regulatory changes to their openness mandates.
Source:Published on 2023-09-15