The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM) yesterday appealed to the government to fully bring into force the Freedom of Information Act approved by Parliament in 2008. It also accused it of breaking the law by not publishing required information.

In a statement, the IĠM said the act was meant to enter into force on August 31, 2010. Yet the legislation had still not come into effect.

The IĠM said more than enough time had elapsed for the public service to have prepared and published the information asset lists defined in the FOI Act. Failure by the government to publish this information meant it was breaking the law, the IĠM said.

“The Maltese media, as well as the public, have a right to access information according to the FOI Act and any further delay means the rights of the media and the public are being infringed,” institute chairman Malcolm Naudi said.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had said on July 18, 2007, that this legislation would change the way in which information held by ministries, departments, agencies and other government entities would be treated.

The information would become subject to public disclosure, with the exception of cases where valid and justified reasons specified by law prevented this.

The IĠM pointed out that the Prime Minister had also stated that only those who had something to hide were considering this law as a risk.