By Indicator detail
Please find below the lists of indicators that have been used to analyse each law. You can click on each of them and you will get the result for that indicator in each country.
| Country | Description | Scoring instructions | Max score | Finding | Points | Article | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 6(4) Institutions shall respond to applicants in a written or electronic format that is accessible to the applicant. 10(1) Institutions shall provide information to the applicant in the format requested provided that it does not cause damage to the original document. An applicant can request information in any of the following forms: 1-A copy of the original document in either paper or electronic form. 2-An opportunity to inspect documents, models and samples at the premises of the public institution. 3-A copy of the original document in a written, audio or visual form. 4-Providing information in audio or visual form. 5-Providing a sample. | |
| Albania | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 14(2) Requests related to written documents, are handled by making available to the applicant: (a) a full copy, in the same format as the one used by the public authority, except in special cases; (b) a full copy of the information via email, when the information exists in such a form or can be converted. 11(4) The application for information shall contain: format that the information is preferred to be obtained. | |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 21(1) Where a request indicates a preference as to the form of communicating communication of information provided in subsection (2), a public or private body communicating information pursuant to a request for information shall, subject, to subsection (3), do so in accordance with the preference indicating by the applicant. (2) An applicant may, in a request for information, indicate the following preferences as to the form of communication of information (a) a true copy of the record in permanent or other form; (b) an opportunity to inspect the record, where necessary using equipment normally available to the public authority or private body; (c) an opportunity to copy the record, using equipment other than the equipment of the public authority or private body. (d) a transcript of the record in print, sound or visual form; (e) a transcript of the content of a record, in print, sound or visual form, where such transcript is capable of being produced using equipment normally available to the body; or (f) a transcript of the record from shorthand or other codified form. (3) A public or private body shall not be required to communicate information in the form indicated by the person making the request where to do so would (a) unreasonably interfere with the operations of the public authority or private body; or (b) adversely affect the preservation of the record. (4) Where a record exists in more than one language, communication of the record shall, from among those languages, be given in accordance with the language preference of the person making the request. | |
| Armenia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 9(8) The answer to written inquiry is given on the material carrier mentioned in that application. If the material carrier is not mentioned and it is impossible to clarify that within the time limits foreseen by the following law, than the answer to the written inquiry is given by the material carrier that is the most suitable for the information holder. (9) In the cases foreseen by the 7 a sub clause of the following Article, the person submitting inquiry can by his wish, as defined by legislation, get acquainted with the information within the premises of the information holder, getting back his written inquiry. | |
| Australia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 20 Forms of access (1) Access to a document may be given to a person in one or more of the following forms: (a) a reasonable opportunity to inspect the document; (b) provision by the agency or Minister of a copy of the document; (c) in the case of a document that is an article or thing from which sounds or visual images are capable of being reproduced, the making of arrangements for the person to hear or view those sounds or visual images; (d) in the case of a document by which words are recorded in a manner in which they are capable of being reproduced in the form of sound or in which words are contained in the form of shorthand writing or in codified form, provision by the agency or Minister of a written transcript of the words recorded or contained in the document. (2) Subject to subsection (3) and to section 22, where the applicant has requested access in a particular form, access shall be given in that form. (3) If the giving of access in the form requested by the applicant: (a) would interfere unreasonably with the operations of the agency, or the performance by the Minister of his or her functions, as the case may be; (b) would be detrimental to the preservation of the document or, having regard to the physical nature of the document, would not be appropriate; or (c) would, but for this Act, involve an infringement of copyright (other than copyright owned by the Commonwealth, an agency or a State) subsisting in matter contained in the document, being matter that does not relate to the affairs of an agency or of a Department of State; access in that form may be refused and access given in another form. (4) Subject to subsection 17(1), where a person requests access to a document in a particular form and, for a reason specified in subsection (3), access in that form is refused but access is given in another form, the applicant shall not be required to pay a charge in respect of the provision of access to the document that is greater than the charge that he or she would have been required to pay if access had been given in the form requested. | |
| Azerbaijan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 2.2. Everyone has the right to contact the owner of the information directly or through his representative, to choose the type and form of access to information. 14.1. The applicant may request that the written request be provided in one of the following forms or in other forms available: 14.1.1. to enter the place allocated for acquaintance with the document; 14.1.2. copying the face of the document; 14.1.3. making a copy of the document or providing a certified copy of the document using the technical capabilities of the information owner; 14.1.4. making a copy of the document using the applicant's own technical capabilities; 14.1.5. submission of transcripts or other coded documents in a readable condition; 14.1.6. translation of the document; 14.1.7. transfer of a copy of the document to electronic media, etc. ... 14.5. The owner of the information may refuse to execute the information request in the form specified in this request in the following cases: 14.5.1. in the absence of technical capabilities; 14.5.2. if execution is not possible due to the type of information carrier; 14.5.3. if the information to be provided on the basis of an oral request impedes the fulfillment of the main duties of the owner of the information, as it takes a long time; 14.6. 14.5.1 of this Law. and in the cases specified in Articles 14.5.2, the appropriate form of securing the request shall be chosen by the owner of the information and, if the contact information provided in the request allows, the matter shall be discussed with the requester. 14.7. If the official is not satisfied with the oral answer of the official or in the cases provided for in Article 14.5.3 of this Law, it is proposed to apply to the applicant in writing. 14.8. If the form of submission of information is not clear from the request and it is not possible to specify it within the period specified for the execution of the request, then the execution of the request is provided in the form chosen by the owner of the information. | Long list of formats and clear rules on when preferred format may be refused and what format to use then. |
| Bahamas | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 10. Forms of accessing records. (1) Access to a record may be granted to an applicant in one or more of the following forms— (a) in the case of a record in printed form, the applicant may be afforded a reasonable opportunity to inspect the record or may be provided with a copy of the record; (b) in the case of a record from which sounds or visual images are capable of being reproduced, arrangements may be made for the applicant to hear the sounds or view the visual images; (c) in the case of a record by which or in which words are— (i) recorded in a manner in which they are capable of being reproduced in the form of sound and images; or (ii) contained in the form of shorthand writing or in codified form, the applicant may be furnished with a transcript of the data or the words, sounds and images recorded or contained in that record. (2) Subject to subsection (3), where an applicant requests that access be given in a particular form, access shall be given in that form. (3) A public authority may grant access in a form other than that requested by an applicant if the grant of access in the form requested would— (a) be detrimental to the preservation of the record, or be inappropriate, having regard to its physical state; (b) constitute an infringement of intellectual property rights subsisting in any matter contained in the record. | |
| Bangladesh | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 8(2)(iv) The request made under sub-section (1) shall include the following information, namely: "description of the modes how he wants to have the information, that is making inspection, having copy, taking note or any other approved method." | 8(2)(iv) allows requesters to state this preference, which officials are meant to follow. According to our expert, many agencies require that requesters obtain Court stamps to pay for this which limits the ability of some to exercise this choice. However, the Info. Comm. has issued rules countermanding this practice, so I won't deduct points. |
| Belize | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | SECTION 17(3) If the form of access requested by the applicant - (a) would interfere unreasonably with the operations of the Ministry or prescribed authority; or (b) would be detrimental to the preservation of the document or, having regard to the physical nature of the document, would not be appropriate; or (c) would involve an infringement of copyright (other than copyright owned by the Government) subsisting in the document, access in that form may be refused and access given in another form. | Yes, subject to reasonable limitations. |
| Bulgaria | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 25(1) The application for access to public information shall contain: 3. the preferred form of access to the requested information, <...>. | |
| Burkina Faso | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 11 : Le droit d'accès à l’information publique et aux documents administratifs s'exerce par consultation sur place ou par prêt pendant les heures habituelles de travail ou à distance s’il est mis en ligne. Le demandeur peut obtenir copie du document ou de l’information. Toutefois, la reproduction est refusée lorsqu’elle nuit à la conservation ou qu’elle rencontre des difficultés pratiques liées à la forme du document. Dans ce cas, la consultation sur place s’impose au demandeur. Article 20 : L’accès aux informations et aux documents administratifs s’exerce au choix du demandeur et dans la limite des possibilités techniques de l’administration : - - par consultation gratuite sur place, sauf si la préservation du document ne le permet pas ; 11 - par la délivrance d’une copie sur un support identique à celui utilisé par l’administration ou compatible avec celui-ci et aux frais du demandeur sous réserve que la reproduction ne nuise pas à la conservation du document ; - par courrier électronique et sans frais lorsque le document est disponible sous forme électronique. Article 23 : Le responsable du service commis à l’information et à la documentation est tenu de satisfaire à une demande conformément aux moyens mis à sa disposition. | Bit confusing but in the end obliges public bodies to comply with requesters' preferences |
| Canada | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 12(3) Where access to a record or a part thereof is to be given under this Act and the person to whom access is to be given has a sensory disability and requests that access be given in an alternative format, a copy of the record or part thereof shall be given to the person in an alternative format (a) forthwith, if the record or part thereof already exists under the control of a government institution in an alternative format that is acceptable to that person; or (b) within a reasonable period of time, if the head of the government institution that has control of the record considers the giving of access in an alternative format to be necessary to enable the person to exercise the person's right of access under this Act and considers it reasonable to cause that record or part thereof to be converted. | 12(3) - Allows for alternative formats for disabled persons. Interim Directive 7.4.6 When privacy, confidentiality and security considerations would not be compromised and it would not be unreasonable or impracticable to do so, provide records in the format requested by the requester, including machine-readable and reusable formats. |
| Chile | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | ARTICLE 17. La información solicitada se entregará en la forma y por el medio que el requirente haya señalado, siempre que ello no importe un costo excesivo o un gasto no previsto en el presupuesto institucional, casos en que la entrega se hará en la forma y a través de los medios disponibles. Se deberá contar con un sistema que certifique la entrega efectiva de la información al solicitante, que contemple las previsiones técnicas correspondientes. | |
| Cook Islands | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 16. "Documents (...) (2) Subject to section 17 of this Act, the Ministry or Minister of the Crown or organisation shall make the information available in either way preferred by the person requesting it unless to do so would – (a) impair efficient administration; or (b) be contrary to any legal duty of the Ministry or Minister of the Crown or organisation in respect of the document; or (c) prejudice the interests protected by section 6 or section 7 or section 8 of this Act and (in the case of the interests protected by section 8 of this Act) there is no countervailing public interest. (3) Where the information is not provided in the way preferred by the person requesting it, the Ministry or Minister of the Crown or organisation shall, subject to section 9 of this Act, give to that person in writing – (a) the reason for not providing the information in that way; and (b) if that person so requests, the grounds in support of that reason, unless the giving of those grounds would itself prejudice the interests protected by section 6 or 7 or section 8 of this Act and (in the case of the interests protected by section 8 of this Act) there is no countervailing public interest. | |
| Croatia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Art 17.1.2. & Art.17.2.: Public authority bodies shall be bound to grant access to information by providing information to the beneficiary who has submitted a request in one of the following ways: by providing information directly, by providing information in writing, through giving insight into documents and making copies of the documents containing the requested information, by delivering copies of the documents containing the requested information, in other ways adequate for exercising the right of access to information. (2) In the request for information, the beneficiary may indicate an adequate way of obtaining information, and if there is no such indication, the information shall be delivered in the manner of submitting the request or in the most economical manner. | In the request for information, the beneficiary may indicate an adequate way of obtaining information, and if there is no such indication, the information shall be delivered in the manner of submitting the request. |
| Cyprus | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | "Article 13 (Methods of Providing Information to Requesters) 13.-(1) Σε περίπτωση που ο αιτητής καθορίσει στην αίτησή του τον τρόπο με τον οποίο επιθυμεί να λάβει τις ζητούμενες πληροφορίες, όπως προβλέπεται στο εδάφιο (2) του άρθρου 9, η δημόσια αρχή παρέχει τις πληροφορίες με τον τρόπο αυτό, αν είναι εύλογα πρακτικό υπό τις περιστάσεις, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη και το κόστος παροχής των πληροφοριών με τον εν λόγω τρόπο. (2) Σε περίπτωση που η δημόσια αρχή αποφασίσει ότι η παροχή των ζητούμενων πληροφοριών με τον τρόπο που καθόρισε ο αιτητής στην αίτησή του δεν είναι εύλογα πρακτική, ειδοποιεί τον αιτητή για την απόφασή της και για τους λόγους για τους οποίους έλαβε την απόφαση αυτή και παρέχει τις ζητούμενες πληροφορίες με τρόπο ο οποίος είναι εύλογος υπό τις περιστάσεις. " | Yes, if reasonable |
| Czech Republic | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 4. "(3) If information are provided based on a request, they shall be provided in formats and languages defined in the request for information provision, unless stated otherwise herein. The obligated bodies are not obliged to change the format or the language of the information if such change represented undue burden for the obligated body; in such cases, the obligated body shall satisfy the request by providing the information in the format or language in which they have been created." | |
| Ethiopia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 14(6) Information shall ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought unless it would disproportionately diverts the resources of the public body or would be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the record in question. 30 A requester whose request for access to a record of a public body has been granted may, 1/ If the record exists in the language that the requester prefers, be given access in that language; or 2/ If the record does not exist in the language preferred, be given access in any language the record exists. | |
| Fiji | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 13(1) Subject to subsection (2), any information which a public agency is directed under section 8 or 10 to make available to the person who has made the request may be made available in any of the following ways - (a) by giving the person a reasonable opportunity to inspect the information; (b) by giving the person a copy of the information; (c) in the case of information that is an article or material from which sounds or images are capable of being reproduced, by giving the person a copy of the article or material or by making arrangements for the person to hear those sounds or view those images; or (d) in the case of information that is a document where words are recorded in a way in which the words are capable of being reproduced in the form of sound or in which words are contained in the form of shorthand writing or in codified form, by providing the person with a written transcript of the words recorded or contained in the document. (2) A public agency must make the information available in the form preferred by the person who made the request unless to do so would - (a) impair the efficient administration of the public agency; (b) be detrimental to the preservation of the information or, having regard to the physical nature of the information, would otherwise not be appropriate; or (c) involve an infringement of copyright, other than copyright owned by the State or a public agency, subsisting in matter contained in the information. (3) If information cannot be made available in the form preferred by the person who made the request, the public agency - (a) may provide the information in another form as determined by the public agency; and (b) must give the person a written statement of the reason for not making the information available in the form preferred by the person who made the request. (4) If the person who made the request has indicated that access to information be given in a particular form and access in that form is refused but given in another form, the person is not required to pay a charge in respect of the giving of access that is greater than the charge that the person would have been required to pay had access been given in the form preferred by the person who made the request. | |
| Finland | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | [Principles of Openness] Article 16(1) Access to an official document shall be by explaining its contents orally to the requester, by giving the document to be studied, copied or listened to in the offices of the authority, or by issuing a copy or a printout of the document. Access to the public contents of the document shall be granted in the manner requested, unless this would unreasonably inconvenience the activity of the authority owing to the volume of the documents, the inherent difficulty of copying or any other comparable reason. | |
| France | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 4. The requestor can request the format. | |
| Gambia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 20 (2) Subject to sub-section (4), where the requester has requested access to information in a particular form, access shall be given in that form. (4) If giving access to information in the form requested by the requester is likely to - (a) unreasonably interfere with the operations of the information holder; (b) be detrimental to the preservation of the information; or (c) having regard to the physical nature of the information, render access in the requested form inappropriate, access in that form may be refused if access may be given in another form authorised under this Act. | |
| Georgia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 37 – Request for public information 1. Everyone has the right to request public information regardless of its physical form and stored conditions, and choose the form of receiving public information if it is of different types, and to access the original information. In the case of risk of damaging the original information, the public institution shall be obliged to make the original available for reading under supervision, or present a duly certified copy. | Yes, subject to reasonable limitations. |
| Germany | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 7(3) Information may be furnished verbally, in writing or in electronic form. The authority is not obliged to verify that the contents of the information are correct. | |
| Ghana | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 28. (1) Access to information may be given to an applicant (a) by giving the applicant (i) a reasonable opportunity to inspect the information, or (ii) a copy of the information, (b) by making arrangements for the applicant to hear the sounds or view the visual images, in the case of information from which sounds or visual images are capable of being reproduced, whether or not with the aid of another device, (c) by giving the applicant a written transcript of the words recorded in a document, in the case of information in which words are recorded in a manner in which they are capable of being reproduced in the form of sound, (d) by giving the applicant a written transcript of the words in the case of information in which words are contained in the form of shorthand writing or in coded form, (e) by giving the applicant the written form, in the case of information in which words are recorded in a manner in which they are capable of being reproduced in a written form, or (f) in any other form, electronic, magnetic, optical or otherwise, including a computer print-out, various computer storage devices and web portals. (2) Where a request for access to information has been made in a particular form, access to information (a) shall be given in that form, or (b) may be refused if (i) it is likely to be detrimental to the preservation of the information; or (ii) having regard to the physical nature of the information, it is not appropriate to grant access in that form. (3) Where access cannot be given in the form specified by the applicant but can be given in some other form, (a) access shall be given in that other form; and (b) the applicant shall be provided with a reason why access cannot be given in the specified form. (4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the applicant shall not be required to pay a fee which is greater than the fee that the applicant would have paid had access been given in the form requested. | System not quite right - provides for format to follow the way the request was made as opposed to preferences expressed by the applicant - but full points given assuming that the system would be somewhat flexible on this point |
| Guinea | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 16. L'accès aux documents administratifs s'exerce au choix du demandeur et dans la limite des possibilités techniques de l'administration : - Par consultation gratuite sur place, sauf si la préservation du document ne le permet pas ; - Sous réserve que la reproduction ne nuise pas à la conservation du document, par la délivrance d'une copie sur un support identique à celui utilisé par l'administration ou compatible avec celui-ci et aux frais du demandeur, sans que ces frais puissent excéder le coût de cette reproduction, dans des conditions prévues par décret ; - Par courrier électronique et sans frais lorsque le document est disponible sous forme électronique. | Clear enough for two points, "within the limit of technical possibilities" is potentially ambiguous but the elaborating language is more precise |
| Guyana | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 2. In this Act - [...] "right of access to information" means the right to information accessible under this Act which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to - (a) inspect any work, documents or records; (b) take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records; (c) take certified samples of material; (d) obtain information in any digital or electronic mode or through printouts where such information is stored in a computer or in any other similar device; [...] Article 16(3) A request may specify in which of the forms described in section 20 the applicant wishes to be given access. Article 20(3) Subject to this section and to section 19(2), where the applicant has requested access in a particular form, access shall be given in that form. | 2 - Definition of "right of access to information". See also 16(3) and 20(3). |
| Hungary | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 30(2) Data requests must be satisfied in a clear manner and in a mode and through the use of the technical instrument specified by the applicant, should the body controlling the data of public interest be easily able to do this. If the data requested was electronically disclosed at an earlier date, the request can be also satisfied by indicating the public source containing the given data. Requests for data cannot be rejected by claiming that they cannot be properly satisfied. | |
| Iceland | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 12. A government authority shall determine whether material to which it is permissible to grant access should be shown or provided as copies or photocopies. However, a public authority is obligated upon request, insofar as possible, to provide copies or photocopies of material in the form or format and in the language in which it is kept, unless it is already accessible to the public in electronic form. When documents are kept solely in electronic form, the requester can demand to receive them in printed form, unless the third paragraph applies. When the number of documents is great, the government authority may decide to assign their photocopying to other parties. The same applies when the government authority does not have facilities for photocopying documents. In such cases, the requester shall pay the cost entailed in photocopying the documents. The same applies, where relevant, to copies of material other than documents. By means of a list of fees, the Prime Minister shall decide what is to be paid for copies and photocopies of material provided pursuant to this Act. It is permissible to allow for all of the costs entailed. | |
| India | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 7(9) An information shall ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought unless it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or would be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the record in question. | |
| Ivory Coast | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 14. L’accès aux documents se fait au choix du demandeur et dans la limite des possibilités techniques de l’administration par: consultation gratuite sur place, sauf si la préservation du document ne le permet pas; délivrance d’une copie dans la forme ou le format souhaité sous réserve que la reproduction ne nuise pas à la conservation du document; courrier électronique et sans frais, lorsque le document est disponible sous forme électronique; tout autre mode de communication, conformément à la pratique administrative en vigueur. La délivrance d’une copie du document est subordonnée au paiement d’un montant déterminé par voie réglementaire. | |
| Jamaica | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 9(2) Subject to subsection (3), where an applicant requests that access be given in a particular form, access shall be given in that form. | |
| Kazakhstan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 11(12) A response to a written request should be given in hard copy or electronically as per information user's choice and in a language of the request. [...] | |
| Kenya | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 11(3) Any information to be made accessible to an applicant shall be produced forthwith at the place where it is kept, for inspection in the form in which it is held unless the applicant requests that it be made available in another form and, if it is practicable to do so, such information may be copied, reproduced or used for conversion to a sound transmission at the expense of the applicant. | |
| Kosovo | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 14(1) When the public institution allows access to a public document, the applicant shall have the right to choose the form of accessing such document. (2) Where a request for access contains a preferred access form, then the public institution is obliged to act in accordance with that preference. (3) A request may indicate the preferred forms of access to public documents and information, as follows: (3.1) an exact copy in print or other form of the requested public documents; (3.2) the opportunity to view public documents, whenever possible, by using the institution's own equipment; (3.3) the possibility of copying public documents using the applicant’s own equipment; (3.4) a written transcript of words contained in audio or visual form if it exists or is derived from an open meeting; (3.5) a transcript of the content of a printed, audio or visual recording, in the case where such a transcript exists, using equipment that is generally accessible to the public institution. (4) Where a public document is available in more than one language, access to the public document shall be granted in the preferred language of the applicant. (5) A public institution shall not necessarily be obliged to provide access to public documents in the form requested by the applicant in cases when this would: (5.1) interfere unreasonably with the effective operation of the public institution; (5.2) cause irreparable damage to the preservation, maintenance and inheritance of any public document; (5.3) constitute an obligation for the public institution to create or adapt public documents or provide summaries of information where this would involve disproportionate effort, going beyond a simple operation. | |
| Kyrgyzstan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 14.2. The response to the request shall be satisfied in the form in which the request was sent, unless another preferred form of response is expressly provided for in the request itself, except in cases where it may damage the integrity and safety of the data carrier. 14.3. In the event that the information held by the information holder exists in two or more languages, the information shall be provided in the language in which the applicant requests the information. 15.1. Information is provided orally at the request of the applicant. | |
| Latvia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | See 17 above + "(3) An institution may refuse to fulfill an information request or the fulfillment conditions thereof if the information request or the fulfillment conditions thereof are not commensurate with the resources at the disposal of the institution, to wit, as a result of the fulfillment of the information request or the fulfillment conditions thereof the work of the institution or the rights of another person are threatened." | |
| Maldives | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 15. Access to information may be granted to a person in any of the following ways: (1) If the information is in existence, a reasonable opportunity to inspect and study the information; (2) Provide a copy of the information; (3) If the information can be heard or viewed with or without the assistance of another devise, provide a reasonable opportunity to hear or view the information; (4) If the document is in the form of shorthand writing or in recorded form, provide a transcript of the same. (b) Where an applicant requests access in a particular form as is stated in sub-section (a) then access must be granted in that particular form. (c) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, access may be granted in a form different from the manner requested if the following is encountered in granting access in the form requested by the applicant: (1) If the work to provide the information in the requested form would delay the general functions of the State Institute; (2) Where, at the moment of disclosure, providing the information, in the form requested, it would be detrimental to the information in its original form, or if it may be difficult for the preservation of the information in its original form. (3) If it would involve an infringement of copyright. (d) If access to information is granted in a manner different from the manner in which it is requested as in subsection (c) above, and it involves an increase in the applicable charge, the applicant must then be made to understand the rise in the charge, and access to information may not be granted unless the applicant consents to receive the information for that increased charge. (e) If the information is in more than one language, it must be provided in the language, requested by the applicant. Notwithstanding this principle, where the information is prepared in Dhivehi or English Language or both, providing the information in any of these two languages shall be deemed as having compiled with this provision. | "delay the general functions" is a bit too broad… but full points still awarded. |
| Mexico | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 124. In order to submit a request, no other requirements may be required than: V. The preferred mode to be granted the access to information, which may be verbal, provided it is for guidance purposes, by direct consultation, by issuing simple or certi ed copies or the reproduction through any other means, including electronic. Article 127. Exceptionally, when grounded and motivated, as determined by the regulated entity, in cases where the requested information already in their possession involves analysis, study or processing of Documents which delivery or reproduction exceeds the technical capacity the regulated entity to comply with the request within the time limits for such purposes, direct consultation Documents, except classified information, may be made available to the applicant. In any case its simple or certified copy shall be provided, as well as the reproduction by any means available in the premises of the regulated entity or, where appropriate, provided by the applicant. Article 129. The regulated entities shall grant access to the Documents found in their archives or that are required to document in accordance with its powers, duties or functions in the format in which the applicant states, among those existing formats, according to the physical characteristics information or the place it is located, when possible. In the event that the information requested consists of databases the delivery of it in Open Formats must be favored. | |
| Moldova | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 11. Obligations of information providers (2) In order to guarantee free access to official information, the information provider: a) will provide office space appropriately equipped for research, which will be made available to information solicitors. 13. Means of accessing official information (1) The means of accessing information are: a) listening to the information that can be presented verbally; b) examining the document or information (or parts thereof) on the institution's premises; c) releasing a copy of the requested document or information (or parts thereof); d) releasing a copy of the document's or information's translation (or parts thereof) into a language different from the original one, for an additional fee; e) sending by mail (including e-mail) the copy of the document or information (or parts thereof), a copy of the document's or information's translation into another language, upon the applicant's request, for a corresponding fee. (2) Excerpts from registers, documents, information (or parts thereof) may be made available to the applicant, upon the applicant's request, in a reasonable and acceptable form that allows its: a) examination on the institution's premises; b) retyping, photocopying or copying by another method that would ensure the safety of the original; c) recording onto an electronic carrier, recording on audio or video tape or on any other bearer resulting form technological progress. | See also Article 14 as to language of documents. |
| Montenegro | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 12: "A request for access to the information shall contain the following: 1. basic data concerning any required information; 2. the method in which such information is desirable to be available; 3. data on applicant (first and family name, permanent or temporary residence place, firm and registered office) and / or its agent, representative or attorney." | |
| Mozambique | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | ARTIGO 18 (Exercise of the RTI) The RTI is realized through: a) the provision: oral, written or others; b) reproduction of documents; c) certified declaration released from the service; d) free access to files; e) emission of certificates. ARTIGO 32 (Language) Every information is supplied in the official language, the divulgation can be in every national language. Right to Information Law Regulation ARTIGO 5 (Language) 1. The information requested according to the RTI Law is provided in the official language, the Portuguese. 2. The disclosure of information shall be done in the official language even if it can be equally done in another of the national languages. ARTIGO 6 (Content of the RTI) 3. The right to receive information impose the obligation to answer to the information request within the legal deadline and to make it available for the citizen in the requested form, namely oral written, sign language, reproduction of documents, issue of authenticated declarations, consultation of files and archives, emission of certificates. ARTIGO 21 (Documents and Files in archives) 1. The entities of article 3 RTI Law and article 2 of the present Regulation shall maintain the archives available, except for the exception provided by the law, in duly classified and indexed registers in order to ease the exercise of the right to information. 2. The consultation of documents and files is made exclusively in the respective services 3. The damage and the subtraction, total or partial, of documents or files provided by the consultation is punished by the criminal law. ARTIGO 22 (Consultation Room) 1. Public and private entities in possession of public interest information has to arrange adequate condition to permit the realization of the consultation as in the present article. 2. The consultation of the previous number is made in presence of an official 3. During the consultation is permitted to take of notes or electronically reproduce the documents. 4. Reproduction or notes as in the previous number are not binding for the entity who disposed the consultation, unless their authentication is stated. | Refers to different formats and the Regs. make clear must comply with preferences; also reference to languages |
| Nepal | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 2(e) "Right to Information" means the right to ask for and obtain information of public importance held in the Public Bodies and this term shall also include the right to study or observation of any written document, material held in Public Body or proceedings of such Public Body; to obtain a verified copy of such document, to visit or observe the place where any construction of public importance is going on and to obtain verified sample of any material or to obtain information held in any type of machine through such machine. 7(5) Information Officer has to provide information in the format as demanded by the applicant as much as possible. (6) Notwithstanding anything contained in Sub-Section (5), if any possibility subsist that the source of information may be damaged or destroyed or spoilt if it is provided in the format as requested by the applicant, the Information Officer shall provide such information in appropriate format with stating reason thereof. (7) If any individual submitted an application to study or observe the document, material or activity pursuant to Sub-Section (1), the Information Officer shall provide a reasonable time to the applicant for the study and observation of such document, material or activity. | Could be stronger inasmuch as it gives too much discretion to officials. |
| New Zealand | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 16 Documents (2) Subject to section 17, the department or Minister of the Crown or organisation shall make the information available in the way preferred by the person requesting it unless to do so would (a) impair efficient administration; or (b) be contrary to any legal duty of the department or Minister of the Crown or organisation in respect of the document; or (c) prejudice the interests protected by section 6 or section 7 or section 9 and (in the case of the interests protected by section 9) there is no countervailing public interest. (...) | |
| North Macedonia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Art 16. "(3) In its request, the requester shall be obliged to state the information it wants to become acquainted with, and the way in which it wants to become acquainted with the contents of the information requested (insight, transcript, photocopy, electronic record)." | |
| Poland | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 14(1) Making the public information available takes place in the method and in forms which are in accordance with the petition unless the technical measures, which are at the disposal of the entity being obliged to do this, make it impossible to make the information available in the method and in form defined in the petition. (2) If the public information cannot be made available in the method or in form defined in the petition, the entity obliged to do this, notifies in writing the petitioner of the reasons for lack of possibility to make the information available in accordance with the petition and point in what way or in which method this information can be made available immediately.[...] | |
| Russia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 6: (Methods of Providing Access to Information on the Activities of Government Bodies and Bodies Of Local Self-Government): Access to information on the activities of government bodies and bodies of local self-government can be provided through the following methods: [...] (6) granting to information users, at their request, information on the activities of , government bodies and bodies of local self-government; Article 7(2): (Form for Granting Information on the Activities of Government Bodies and Bodies of Local Self-Government): If the form for granting information on the activities of government bodies and bodies of local self-government is not defined, the form can be determined according to the request of the information user. If it is impossible to grant the above-specified information in the requested form, the information is granted in the form in which it exists within the government body or the body of local self-government. | There is a large list of forms of access to the information held by public authorities. |
| Rwanda | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 9: Information shall be requested by an individual or a group of persons in any of the official languages provided for by the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda verbally, in writing, by telephone, internet or any other means of communication without prejudice to the provisions of this Law. The person applying for information shall determine the means in which he/she wants to obtain information. However, if the means chosen for obtaining the information requested exceeds the capacity of the requested organ, the applicant shall bear the cost. | |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 13 | |
| Serbia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 18 The equipment at the disposal of the public authority shall be used for insight in a document containing the requested information, unless the applicant asks to gain insight in the document by using his/her own equipment. | |
| Seychelles | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 17. (1) Access to information shall be given to a requester in one or more of the following forms— (a) a reasonable opportunity to inspect the information, (b) a copy of the information, (c) in the case of information that is an article or thing from which sounds or visual images are capable of being reproduced, tile making of arrangements for the person to hear, view, record or copy those sounds on visual images, (d) in the case of information by which words are recorded in a manner in which they are capable of being reproduced in the form of sound or in which words are contained in the form of shorthand writing or in codified form, provision by the information holder of a written transcript, (e) in the case of information which is held on a computer, or in electronic or machine readable form, and from which the information holder concerned is capable of producing a printed copy of the information or part of it, by supplying such a copy; or (f) in the case of information available or capable of being made available in computer readable form, by supplying a copy in that form (2) Subject to subsection (4), where the requester has requested access to information in a particular form, access shall be given in that form (3) A requester may amend their preferred form of access on receipt of notice of the reproduction fee or transcription fees payable if access is granted in the form initially requested (4) If giving access to information in the form requested by the requester is likely to (a) unreasonably interfere with the operations of the information holder; (b) be detrimental to the preservation of the information; or (c) having regard to the physical nature of the information, access in the requested form is not be appropriate, access in that form may be refused if access is given in another form authorised under this Act. (5) Where a person requests access to information in a particular form and for a reason specified in subsection (4) access in that form is refused but access is given in another form, the reproduction fee charged may not exceed what would have been charged if that requester had been given access in the form requested. (6) If a requester with a disability is prevented by that disability from reading, viewing or listening to the information concerned in the form in which it is held by the information holder; the Information Officer shall, if that requester so requests, take reasonable steps to make the information available in a form in which it is capable of being read, viewed or heard by the requester. 18. Information shall be provided to a requester in the national language in which it is kept. | |
| Sierra Leone | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 7. (1) Where, on making a request for information, the Communica- applicant expresses a preference for communication by any one or tion of more of the following means: (a) providing the applicant with a copy, certified or otherwise, of the information in permanent form or in another form acceptable to the applicant, such as an electronic form; (b) giving the applicant a reasonable opportunity to inspect a record containing the information; (c) providing the applicant with a digest or summary of the information in permanent form or in another form acceptable to the applicant; or (d) allowing the applicant to take notes, extracts and samples of any materials, the public authority shall so far as is reasonable, give effect to that preference. (2) A public authority shall not be required to comply with subsection (1) where to do so would– (a) be detrimental to the preservation of the record; (b) unduly divert the resources of the public authority; or (c) breach a copyright not held by the public authority. (3) Where a public authority does not, pursuant to subsection (2), comply with any preference expressed by the applicant in communicating the information, it shall– (a) notify the applicant of the reasons for this; and (b) communicate the information to the applicant by any means reasonable in the cir- cumstances. | |
| Slovakia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 16 Disclosure of Information Upon Request: \"(1) Information shall be disclosed mainly orally, by inspection of files, including the possibility to make copies or notes, by downloading data to data carrier, by providing copies of the original with requested information, by telephone, fax, post, e-mail. In the event that the information cannot be provided in a way required b y the applicant, the obliged person and the applicant shall agree on a different way of providing the information. (2) The obliged person shall enable anybody to make copies of and notes and abstracts from files and documents without proving legal or other reason or interest.\" | |
| Slovenia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Art 17. "(2) In his request for access to public information, the applicant must specify:1. The information he wishes to get acquainted with, 2. The way he wishes to get acquainted with the contents of the requested information (consultation on the spot, a transcript, a copy, an electronic record)." | |
| South Africa | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 29. (1) If a requester has been given notice in terms of section 25(1) that his or her request for access has been granted, that requester must, subject to subsections (3) and (9) and section 31— (a) if an access fee is payable, upon payment of that fee; or (b) if no access fee is payable, immediately, be given access in the applicable forms referred to in subsection (2) as the requester indicated in the request, and in the language contemplated in section 31. (2) The forms of access to a record in respect of which a request of access has been granted, are the following: (a) If the record is in written or printed form, by supplying a copy of the record or by making arrangements for the inspection of the record; (b) if the record is not in written or printed form— (i) in the case of a record from which visual images or printed transcriptions of those images are capable of being reproduced by means of equipment which is ordinarily available to the public body concerned, by making arrangements to view those images or be supplied with copies or transcriptions of them; (ii) in the case of a record in which words or information are recorded in such manner that they are capable of being reproduced in the form of sound by equipment which is ordinarily available to the public body concerned— (aa) by making arrangements to hear those sounds; or (bb) if the public body is capable of producing a written or printed transcription of those sounds by the use of equipment which is ordinarily available to it, by supplying such a transcription; (iii) in the case of a record which is held on computer, or in electronic or machine-readable form, and from which the public body concerned is capable of producing a printed copy of— (aa) the record, or a part of it; or (bb) information derived from the record, by using computer equipment and expertise ordinarily available to the public body, by supplying such a copy; (iv) in the case of a record available or capable of being made available in computer readable form, by supplying a copy in that form; or (v) in any other case, by supplying a copy of the record. (3) If a requester has requested access in a particular form, access must, subject to section 28, be given in that form, unless to do so would— (a) interfere unreasonably with the effective administration of the public body concerned; (b) be detrimental to the preservation of the record; or (c) amount to an infringement of copyright not owned by the State or the public body concerned. (4) If a requester has requested access in a particular form and for a reason referred to in subsection (3) access in that form is refused but access is given in another form, the fee charged may not exceed what would have been charged if that requester had been given access in the form requested. (5) If a requester with a disability is prevented by that disability from reading, viewing or listening to the record concerned in the form in which it is held by the public body concerned, the information officer of the body must, if that requester so requests, take reasonable steps to make the record available in a form in which it is capable of being read, viewed or heard by the requester. (6) If a record is made available in accordance with subsection (5), the requester may not be required to pay an access fee which is more than the fee which he or she would have been required to pay but for the disability. | |
| South Korea | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 13(2) When applicants desire to have copies or replications of information, a public institution shall deliver them to applicants: Provided, That when it is likely to significantly obstruct the performance of duties due to excessive quantity of information to be disclosed, it may provide copies or replications of information to applicants after dividing them on a periodic basis or may furnish such copies while allowing the public to peruse them at the same time. (3) When disclosing information pursuant to paragraph (1), where the original forms of the relevant information are likely to be stained or damaged or where other reasonable grounds exist, a public institution may disclose the copies or replications of the relevant information. 15(1) Where an applicant makes a request to disclose information in an electronic format, which has been held and managed in an electronic format, a public institution shall comply with such request, except for cases where it is highly impracticable to comply with such request due to the nature of the relevant information. (2) Where an applicant makes a request to disclose information in an electronic format, which has not been held and managed in an electronic format, a public institution may disclose information after converting such information into an electronic format, when such disclosure is not likely to significantly obstruct the performance of its duties or damage the nature of the relevant information. PD 14(1): The information shall be disclosed by methods classified as follows: 1. Document, drawing, photograph, etc.: perusal or provision of a copy; 2. Film, tape, etc.: viewing or provision of printed or reproduced articles; 3. Microfilm, slide, etc.: viewing, perusal, or provision of a copy or reproduced article; 4. Information, etc. kept and managed in electronic form: reproducing files and forwarding to information disclosure system through the information and communications network, provision by storing in media, and perusal, viewing, or provision of a copy or output; 5. Information already disclosed under Article 7 (1) of the Act: guide to whereabouts of the relevant information. | |
| South Sudan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 13 | |
| Spain | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Artículo 22 (Formalización del acceso): 1. El acceso a la información se realizará preferentemente por vía electrónica, salvo cuando no sea posible o el solicitante haya señalado expresamente otro medio. | |
| Sri Lanka | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Section 24(5) A citizen making a request for information shall: (b) identify the nature of the form and language in which the citizen prefers access; Section 27. (1) Where decision has been made to grant a request for information, such information shall be provided in the form in which it is requested for, unless the information officer is of the view that providing the information in the form requested for would not be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the relevant document or record in respect of which the request was made. (2) Where an information officer is unable to provide the information in the manner requested for, it shall be the duty of such officer to consult the citizen and render all possible assistance to the citizen to determine an appropriate alternative means of providing access to the information and to facilitate compliance with such request. (3) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), a citizen, whose request for information has been granted, is entitled to: (a) inspect relevant work, documents, records; (b) take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records; (c) take certified samples of material; (d) obtain information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or any other electronic mode or through printouts where such information is stored in a computer or in any other device. | |
| Tajikistan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 7(4) | |
| Tunisia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Art. 12 - Lors de la formulation de la demande, il est impératif de préciser la modalité d’accès à l’information parmi les modalités suivantes : - la consultation de l’information sur place si celle- ci ne lui cause aucun dommage, - l’obtention d’une copie papier de l’information, - l’obtention d’une copie électronique de l’information, autant que c’est possible, - l’obtention d’extraits de l’information. L’organisme concerné doit fournir l’information suivant la forme demandée. A défaut, l’organisme concerné doit fournir l’information dans la forme disponible. | |
| Turkey | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 3 (Definitions): "The terms used in the law means following: e) Access to information and document: Depending on the nature of the information and the document, providing a copy of the information or the document to the applicant; in cases were it is not possible to give a copy, permitting the applicant to examine the original information or the document and to take notes or to see the contents, or to listen to." Article 10: "Institutions give a certified copy of the required document to the applicant. Where the information or the document is not appropriate for copying or may cause damage to the original, the institution will provide the applicant with the necessary means; a) to examine the original document and take notes for those that are published or written, b) to listen to the material that are in the form of sound recording, c) to watch the material that are in the form of visual recording." | |
| Uganda | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 20. Access and forms of access. (3) Where a person has requested access in a particular form, access shall, subject to section 18, be given in that form, unless to do so would - (a) interfere unreasonably with the effective administration of the public body concerned; (b) be detrimental to the preservation of the record; or (c) amount to an infringement of copyright not owned by the State or the public body concerned. | S. 20(3)
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| United States | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 3(b) | |
| Vanuatu | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 28. Form of access (1) Subject to subsection (4), if an applicant has requested that access to information be provided in a particular form, then access must be given in the form or manner requested. (2) Access to information may be given to an applicant in 1 or more of the following forms or manner: (a) a copy of the information; or (b) an opportunity to inspect the information using equipment normally available to the Government agency, relevant private entity or private entity; or (c) an opportunity to copy the information, using the applicant’s own equipment; or (d) in the case of information that is an article or thing from which sounds or visual images are capable of being reproduced, the making of arrangements for the applicant to hear or view those sounds or visual images; or (e) in the case of information which is held on a computer, or in electronic or machine-readable form, and from which the Government agency, relevant private entity or private entity concerned is capable of producing a printed copy of the information or part of it, by supplying such a copy; or (f) in the case of information available or capable of being made available in computer readable form, by supplying a copy in that form; or (g) a transcript of the content of the information, in print, sound or visual form, where such transcript is capable of being produced using equipment normally available to the Government agency, relevant private entity or private entity; or (h) a transcript of the information from shorthand or other codified form; or (i) an inspection of works; or (j) the taking of samples of materials. (3) If access is granted in a form or manner initially requested, an applicant may amend his or her preferred form or manner of access on receipt of notice of the reproduction fees payable. (4) If a Right to Information Officer is of the view that granting access to information in a form or manner indicated by the applicant would: (a) unreasonably interfere with the operation of the Government agency, relevant private entity or private entity; or (b) be detrimental to the preservation of the information; or (c) involve an infringement of the copyright of a person other than the Government agency, relevant private entity or private entity, he or she may offer to assist the applicant to identify another form or manner in which the access to the information may be granted. | - |
| Vietnam | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | Article 2(3): Access to information means reading, watching, listening, recording, copying, taking photos of, information; Article 24(2)(c):The Request Form shall be written in Vietnamese and include main content as follows: (c) Form of providing information; Article 25: (1) Requested information shall be provided in one of the following forms: (a) Directly at head offices of the agencies; (b) Via websites, postal services, faxes. (2) The state agencies receiving request shall be responsible for providing information in forms that are as requested and suitable with nature of the requested information and the agencies’ capacity, unless otherwise regulated by the other laws. Reg. 3(3): Information-providing agencies shall ensure that forms of provision of information are suitable to the ability of information requesters to access information and their own practical conditions; provide audio-visual equipment and auxiliary devices suitable to types and levels of disability of information requesters and their own practical conditions; and create conditions for information requesters to use such audio-visual equipment, auxiliary devices and other personal technical means to access information at their request. Reg. 9(1): Heads of information-providing agencies and heads of units assigned to take charge of information provision shall arrange places for receiving and settling information requests and provide technical means, equipment and other necessary physical foundations to serve the information provision. (2): Heads of information-providing agencies shall: a/ Arrange places for reading, listening to, watching, recording, duplicating or copying information in order to provide information directly at head offices of their agencies; b/ Install at head offices of their agencies equipment suitable to the form of information provision, thus facilitating citizens’ access to information; c/ Take measures to intensify the information provision and facilitate citizens’ access to information in graphics, images, video clips and other audio-visual media; d/ Allow information requesters to use cell phones and other personal technical devices to duplicate or copy documents, dossiers and materials. | Strong on practical support for formats. |
| Zambia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 18 | |
| Zimbabwe | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 2 | 13 (1) Access to information must be given to an applicant in one or more of the following forms— (a) through a reasonable opportunity to inspect the information; or (b) by way of a copy of the information; or (c) in the case of information that is an article or thing by means of which sounds or visual images are capable of being reproduced, by making of suitable arrangements for the person to hear, view, record or copy those sounds or visual images including by means of braille and sign language; or (d) in the case of information by which words are recorded in a manner in which they are capable of being reproduced in the form of sound or in which words are contained in the form of shorthand writing or in codified form, by the provision of a written transcript; or (e) in the case of information which is held on a computer, or in electronic or machine-readable form, and from which the entity concerned is capable of producing a printed copy of the information or part thereof, by supplying such a copy; or (f) in the case of information available or capable of being made available in computer readable form, by supplying a copy in that form. (2) Subject to subsection (4), where an applicant has requested access to information in a particular form, access must be given in that form. (3) An applicant may amend their preferred form of access (on payment of any reproduction, translation or transcription fees payable) if access has been granted in the form initially requested. (4) If giving access to information in the form requested by an applicant is likely to— (a) unreasonably interfere with the operations of the entity concerned; or (b) be detrimental to the preservation of the information; or (c) be inappropriate, having regard to the physical nature of the information; access in that form may be refused if access is given in another form authorised under this Act. (5) Where a person requests access to information in a particular form and for a reason specified in subsection (4), access in that form is refused but access is given in another form, the reproduction fee charged may not exceed the fee that would have been charged if the applicant had been given access in the form requested.; 16 (1) Information must be provided to an applicant in such officially recognised language as the applicant requests. (2) Where an entity does not hold the information in the requested language, the entity concerned shall endeavour to translate it into the requested language and may recover the reasonable costs of the translation from the applicant. | But 13(4)(c) allows for discretionary refusals to give in the format requested; also has rule on language but must pay for translation |
| Andorra | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | YES | 1 | "Article 14, 7. Processing and resolution: Refusal decisions must be duly motivated, as well as those that grant access partial or through a different modality to the one requested. Resolutions must also be motivated allow access when there has been opposition from a third party. In the latter case, it must be expressly stated to the person requesting that access can only be formalized once the resolution is final." "Article 14, 7. Tramitació i resolució: Les resolucions denegatòries han de ser degudament motivades, així com les que concedeixin l’accés parcial o a través d’una modalitat diferent a la sol·licitada. També han de ser motivades les resolucions que permetin l’accés quan hi hagi hagut oposició d’un tercer. En aquest darrer cas, s’ha d’indicar expressament a la persona sol·licitant que l’accés únicament es pot formalitzar una vegada la resolució sigui ferma." | |
| Austria | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 9 (1) If possible, the information shall be made available in the form requested, otherwise in the most direct form possible; in any case, information shall be provided in the subject matter. Reference to information that has already been published or is more easily accessible by other means is permissible. Explanatory Note, Re § 9: The information shall be provided in the form requested or otherwise feasible, if possible by granting direct access to the information. However, the requested information may also be provided verbally, for example, if the request for information is thereby complied with. Information already published in accordance with § 4 need not be provided again upon request. Reference may be made to information already published. As an exception, it may be appropriate to grant individual access to information in exceptional cases where the Internet cannot be used (e.g. due to advanced age or disability), despite publication. | This does not clarify the conditions for when requests for specific formats may be refused. |
| Benin | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 74: Le droit d’accès à un document ou à un renseignement public s’exerce par consultation sur place pendant les heures habituelles de travail. Le requérant peut également demander et obtenir copie dudit document. A la demande du requérant, un document informatisé est communiqué sous la forme d’une transcription écrite et intelligible ou par impression de l’extrait contenant les renseignements demandés. | Not a very clear right to get the information in the format desired but at least some effort along those lines. |
| Brazil | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 11. Any individual or legal entity is entitled to formulate an access to information request. Paragraph 1. The request shall be presented in a standard form, available both physically and electronically, in the websites of the public bodies and entities as well as their respective SICs. Paragraph 2. The time frame for response shall be counted from the filing date of the request at the SIC. Paragraph 3. Public bodies and entities are entitled to receive access to information requests by any other legitimate means, such as telephone calls, electronic or postal mail, as long as the requirements set forth in article 12 are met. Paragraph 4. In the situation provided for in Paragraph 3, the applicant shall be informed about the file number of his request as well as its filing date at the SIC, term from which the time frame for response shall be counted. Article 13. When the access to information consists of handling it in a way that may harm its integrity, a copy for consultation, with certified correspondence with the original document, shall be offered. Single paragraph. When it is not possible to obtain copies, the applicant may request a reproduction that does not put the integrity of the original material at risk, to his or her own expenses and under supervision of a public official. | Art 13 implies this, and Law Art 11 and Reg 15 imply a choice of format, as does the requesting form - but there's no explicit duty on authorities to comply. |
| Cape Verde | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 7(1) Access to administrative documents is exercised through the following means, at the option of the applicant: a) Face-to- face consultation in the services that hold them; b) Reproduction by photocopy or by any technical means, namely visual, sound or electronic; c) Certificate. (3) When there is a risk of reproduction causing damage to the document, the applicant may, at his own expense and under the direction of the detaining service, promote manual copying or reproduction by another means that does not harm its preservation. (4) Computerized documents are sent by any means of electronic data transmission, whenever possible and provided that it is a suitable means for the intelligibility and reliability of their content, and in terms strictly corresponding to the content of the registration. | Various means of access but not that comprehensive and not entirely clear that preferences of applicant are binding. |
| China | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 40 The specific form in which government information is provided by administrative organs making disclosures of government information upon application shall be determined based on the request of the applicant and the actual conditions of the administrative organs' stored government information; where providing government information according to the applicants' requested format might endanger the security of the government information medium or the cost of disclosure would be too high, it may be provided as electronic data or in other appropriate formats, or arrangements may be made for the applicant to access and copy the relevant government information. | Limitations such as if the cost is too high are too unclear for full points |
| Colombia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Decreto 103 de 2015 Nivel Nacional. 20…En concordancia con lo establecido en los artículos 3° y 26 de la Ley 1712 de 2014, en la gestión y respuesta a las solicitudes de acceso a la información pública, los sujetos obligados deben:… (2) Permitir al ciudadano, interesados o usuario: (a) Elegir el medio por el cual quiere recibir la respuesta; (b) Conocer el formato en el cual se encuentra la información solicitada, de acuerdo con lo establecido en el Esquema de Publicación de Información; (c) Conocer los costos de reproducción en el formato disponible, y/o los costos de reproducción en el evento en que el solicitante elija un formato distinto al disponible y sea necesaria la transformación de la información, de acuerdo con lo establecido por el sujeto obligado en el Acto de Motivación de los costos de reproducción de Información Pública…Cuando la información solicitada repose en un formato electrónico o digital, y el sujeto obligado tenga la dirección del correo electrónico del solicitante u otro medio electrónico indicado, deberá enviarlo por este medio y no se le cobrará costo alguno de reproducción de la información. | Only partial credit given because if the requestor has an email address and the information is in digital format, it has to be sent by email. |
| East Timor | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 3(2) Access to official documents includes consultation, or reproduction of information on its existence and content, without prejudice to the access restrictions defined in this law. Article 9 Form of access (1) Access to documents is done in the following ways: A) Free consultation at the place where the Documents; B) Photocopy, in a copy, or any other technical means that allows the reproduction of the document; C) Issuance of Certificate. (2) The reproduction or issuance of a certificate shall ensure the intelligibility of the document. Article 10(2) The application referred to in the preceding paragraph shall mention, under penalty of refusal, the following elements: A) Identification of the document to be accessed; B) Identification of the form of access to the document, in Pursuant to paragraph 1 of the preceding article; C) Identification of name, address, contact and signature of the applicant. | Some forms of access are mentioned, but unclear if it is mandatory to comply with requesters' preferences in this regard. |
| El Salvador | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | ARTICLE 62 Los entes obligados deberán entregar únicamente información que se encuentre en su poder. La obligación de acceso a la información pública se dará por cumplida cuando se pongan a disposición del solicitante para consulta directa los documentos que la contengan en el sitio donde se encuentren; o bien, mediante la expedición de copias simples, certificadas o por cualquier otro medio tecnológico conocido o por conocerse. El acceso se dará solamente en la forma en que lo permita el soporte de la información solicitada. Se entregarán los documentos en su totalidad o partes de los mismos según lo haya pedido el solicitante. En caso que la información solicitada por la persona ya esté disponible al público en medios impresos, tales como libros, compendios, archivos públicos, formatos electrónicos disponibles en Internet o en cualquier otro medio, se le hará saber por escrito la fuente, el lugar y la forma en que puede consultar, reproducir o adquirir dicha información. | Art 62 says that preferences should be followed as much as possible. |
| Guatemala | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Artículo 43. Cuando el volumen y extensión de la respuesta así lo justifique, el plazo de respuesta a que se refiere la presente ley se podrá ampliar hasta por diez días más, debiendo poner en conocimiento del interesado dentro de los dos días anteriores a la conclusión del plazo señalado en esta ley. | Article 43 says petitioners have a right to access the information in other forms, but the same section says bodies don't have an obligation to process it in other forms. |
| Iran | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 1 | Article 9. The responses issued to the requests to access to information shall be in written or electronic format. Regulation Article 5. Institutions that receive high number of requests are authorized to deliver the service in paper or electronically, in compliance with level of access, with full supervision and providing a method to assess public satisfaction according to related regulation and level of access. The traffic data regarding access to this information must be kept in record for six months. | Weak rule on format but one point given. |
| Ireland | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 17(1) A head may give access under this Act to a record by providing the requester - (a) with a copy of the record, (b) with a transcript of the information concerned, (c) where available in such form and subject to subsection (2), with a searchable electronic version of the record, (d) with a reasonable opportunity to inspect the record, (e) in case the record is of sound or visual images, with a reasonable opportunity to hear or view the record, (f) in case the information is in shorthand or other code, with the information unencoded in written form or such other form as may be determined, (g) with the information in such other form or manner as may be determined, or (h) with the information in a combination of any 2 or more of the foregoing. (2) Where a head decides to grant an FOI request and the request is for access in a particular form or manner to a record, such access shall be given in that form or manner unless the head concerned is satisfied - (a) that such access in another form or manner specified in or determined under subsection (1) would be significantly more efficient, or (b) that the giving of access in the form or manner requested would - (i) be physically detrimental to the record, (ii) involve an infringement of copyright (other than copyright owned by the State, the Government or the FOI body concerned), (iii) conflict with a legal duty or obligation of an FOI body, or (iv) prejudice, impair or damage any interest protected by Part 4 or 5. | They are required to provide access to the record in the manner requested, unless a good reason not to. |
| Kuwait | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Reg. 1. The Right of Perusal: The right of perusal of the information, decisions and documents without obtaining a copy thereof. The Right of access to the documents: The right of accessing copies of documents related to the application. Reg. 2. Every person may submit to the authority, in writing or electronically, an application containing the following: 4) The information or documents requested for perusal or access related to the application, and the interest therein. | The rules recognise just the rights to peruse (inspect) and access (obtain copies). Not clear whether public authorities are required to comply with requesters preferences. |
| Lebanon | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 18: The means of accessing administrative documents: A – Access to administrative documents shall occur for free at their location unless that is not possible for reasons related to the physical preservation of the document. B – Acquisition of a copy of the requested document by the person concerned shall occur at his own expense. However, the expense shall not exceed the cost of reproduction or photocopying or the cost stipulated by law. If the document is electronic or an audio or visual recording, the person concerned may request, at his own expense, a printed copy or an audio, visual, or electronic recording of it. The electronic document may be emailed for free to the person concerned. | Not very clear. |
| Liechtenstein | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 2 (regulation). | Generally oral requests will be handled orally and written requests in writing. |
| Luxembourg | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | A5(1): Le document demandé est mis à la disposition du demandeur dans les meilleurs délais et au plus tard dans le mois qui suit la réception de la demande par l’organisme sollicité selon les modalités suivantes : (i) par la délivrance de copies en un seul exemplaire ; Sans préjudice des pouvoirs conférés par la loi communale modifiée du 13 décembre 1988 aux autorités communales, un règlement grand-ducal peut fixer une redevance à payer par le demandeur en cas de délivrance de copies d’un document. Cette redevance ne peut excéder le coût réel de reproduction. (ii) par la transmission par voie électronique lorsque le document est disponible sous forme électronique et si le demandeur a communiqué une adresse électronique aux organismes visés à l’article 1er, paragraphe 1er ; (iii) par la consultation sur place lorsque la reproduction nuit à la conservation du document ou n’est pas possible en raison de la nature du document demandé. | Recognises different forms of access but (a) places unnecessary conditions on these; (b) does not require public authorities to respect requesters desires in this regard. |
| Malawi | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 22. An information holder, shall, having regard to any specific request by an applicant of the format in which the applicant wants requested information to be given, as well as the circumstances and the costs to provide the information in the manner requested, provide the information requested - (a) in a permanent form or in another form acceptable to the applicant; (b) with a reasonable opportunity to inspect the original document or record containing the information; (c) in a digest or summary of the information, document or record; or (d) in the case of an applicant with sensory disability, in a format that allows the applicant to view, read or listen to the record, document or information. | Allows for delivery or inspection, but no mention of deciding between formats for delivery (electronic vs. paper, etc.). |
| Malta | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Art. 12. "(2) Subject to article 13, the public authority shall make the document available to the applicant in the way preferred by the applicant unless to do so would - (a) impair efficient administration; or (b) be contrary to any legal duty of the public authority in respect of the document; or (c) prejudice the interests protected by Part V and Part VI and (in the case of the interests protected by Part VI) those interests are not outweighed by a contrary public interest." | |
| Monaco | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 25(1): Lorsqu’il est fait droit à une demande, la consultation du document administratif s’effectue selon les modalités déterminées par l’autorité administrative. (3) L’autorité administrative peut, sur le support le plus approprié, délivrer copie du document administratif consulté, aux frais du demandeur, dans la limite des possibilités techniques du service et à la condition que la reproduction ne nuise pas à la conservation dudit document. 39(1) La communication des documents mentionnés au chiffre 3 de l’article 29 se matérialise par la délivrance de copies. (2) Le Service central des archives et de la documentation administrative est seul habilité à délivrer lesdites copies. (3) Les copies sont faites aux frais du demandeur, dans les conditions fixées au troisième alinéa de l’article 25. | Some recognition of different types of access but no clear right for requesters to demand this. A39 applies to records in the Archives, where only copies seem to be envisaged. |
| Mongolia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 12.1. An information requesting party shall have the following rights in exercising his/her rights: 12.1.2. to choose the means to receive information; 14.6. Information may be provided orally, in written and electronically, and citizen and legal entity may examine the information in person. 15.3. In the event the information is provided to citizen and legal entity in electronic form, the respective official of the organization shall prepare electronic document including his/her digital signature and send the information through e-mail to the person who made the request. 15.4. When releasing information in electronic form, the procedures specified in the articles 11-14 of this Law shall be complied with. | May choose means of receiving but obligation to comply not clear |
| Morocco | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 15. Le demandeur d'informations a le droit de déposer une plainte auprès de la commission visée à l'article 22 ci-dessous, dans un délai ne dépassant pas trente (30) jours après l'expiration du délai réglementaire imparti pour répondre à la plainte adressée au président de l'institution ou de l'organisme ou à compter de la date de réception de la réponse à cette plainte. La commission est tenue d'étudier la plainte et d'informer l'intéressé de la suite qui lui a été réservée dans un délai de trente (30) jours à compter de la date de sa réception. La plainte peut être adressée par courrier recommandé ou par courrier électronique contre accusé de réception. | Has a good list of formats but doesn't make it clear that you must comply with requesters wishes in this regard |
| Namibia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 44(1) Access to information may be granted to a requester in a form of - (a) a reasonable opportunity to inspect the information; (b) a copy of the information; or (c) in the case of information - (i) that is an article or thing from which sounds or visual images are capable of being reproduced, the making of arrangements for the person to hear, view, record or copy the sounds or visual images; (ii) by which words are recorded in a manner in which they are capable of being reproduced in the form of sound or in which words are contained in the form of shorthand writing or in codified form, a written transcript; (iii) which is held in a computer, or in electronic or machine-readable form, and from which the information holder is capable of producing a printed copy of the information or part of it, a printed copy; or (iv) available or capable of being made available in computer readable form, a copy in that form. (2) Subject to subsection (4), if the requester has requested access to information in a particular form the information officer must grant access in such form if possible. (3) A requester may amend his or her preferred form of access on receipt of notice of the reproduction fees, translation fees or transcription fees payable if access is not granted in the form initially requested. (4) An information officer may not grant a request for access to information in the form as requested under subsection (2) if giving access in the form so requested is likely to - (a) unreasonably interfere with the operations of the information holder; (b) be detrimental to the preservation of the information; (c) be inappropriate, having regard to the physical nature of the information; (d) endanger national security or defence; or (e) jeopardise a criminal investigation, but access may be granted in another form authorised by subsection (1) as it may be appropriate, subject to any modification relating to the fees payable. (5) If a requester with a disability - (a) requests access to information and the information holder grants access; and (b) is prevented by the disability from reading, viewing or listening to, the information, in the form in which it is held, the information officer must take reasonable steps to make the information available in a form in which the requester can read, view or listen, if the requester so requests. | Point lost because some of the grounds for not providing information in the format sought are not appropriate. Thus, national security/defence and criminal investigations may be reasons to refuse to provide the information in the first place but not as to format. |
| Netherlands | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Section 7, Paragraph 1: The administrative authority shall provide information concerning the documents which contain the information required by: a. issuing a copy of the documents or conveying the ir exact substance in some other form; b. permitting the applicant to take note of the contents of the documents; c. supplying an extract from the documents or a summary of their contents, or d. supplying information contained in the documents; | |
| Panama | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Artículo 4: El acceso público la información será gratuito en tanto no se requiera la reproducción de esta. Los costos de reproducción de la información estarán a cargo del solicitante. En todo caso, las tarifas cobradas por la institución deberán incluir únicamente los costos de reproducción. La información será suministrada en copia simple, o en su reproducción digital, sonora, fotográfica, cinematográfica o videográfica, según se peticione y sea técnicamente factible. Para los efectos de prestar el servicio de acceso por medio de Internet, las instituciones deberán prever una oficina de consulta que tenga los medios electrónicos indispensables para ofrecer un servicio de acceso de calidad. Esto se podrá lograr también por medio de kioscos de información que hayan previsto las distintas instituciones. Parágrafo: En caso de que la información solicitada sea requerida de manera certificada, el peticionario deberá cumplir, para los efectos de las formalidades y de los costos, con las disposiciones legales que rigen la materia. | This is mentioned in Art 4 of Law 6 of 2002, limited by "feasibility" |
| Republic of Belarus | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 21. Provision of publicly accessible information upon request Provision of publicly accessible information to an interested state body, individual or legal entity upon request can be carried out by: • oral presentation of the content of the requested information; • acquaintance with the documents containing the requested information; • provision of a copy of the document containing the requested information, or extracts from it; • provision of a written or electronic response (certificate) containing the requested information. | Information can be provided in various ways, however preference of the requester is not mentioned |
| San Marino | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 28. 1. Access is exercised at the choice of the requester, taking into account the technical possibilities of the Administration, in one or more of the following ways, without prejudice to particular methods of access provided for by special regulations: a) by free consultation on the premises of the office that keeps the records, provided its state of preservation permits; b) by copy as long as it does not damage the document, or is not prohibited for certain acts and documents by special rules. The cost of the copy shall be borne by the applicant and may not exceed the cost of reproduction. At the request of the interested party, copies shall be certified; c) by free electronic mail if the document is available in an electronic format that guarantees the un-modifiability of its content. 2. Consultation of the documents is carried out by the applicant or by a person appointed by the applicant, even with the possible assistance of another person, whose details must be indicated in the request. The person carrying out the consultation may take notes and transcribe all or part of the documents examined, unless this is forbidden by special provisions. 3. A special regulation will establish the fees for the reproduction and copying of the documents referred to in letter b) of paragraph 1, as well as for any authentication. | 1 point deducted due to the proviso "taking into account the technical possibilities of the Administration, in one or more of the following ways, without prejudice to particular methods of access provided for by special regulations" and due to the requirement that electronic formats not be modifiable. |
| Tanzania | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Section 17 (1) Access to information may be provided to a person in any of the following forms: (a) provision of a copy of the information; (b) delivery of a copy of the information in electronic form; (c) in the case of an information that is an article or another thing from which sounds of visual images are capable of being reproduced, by making arrangements for the person to hear or view sounds or visual images; (d) in the case of an information by which words are recorded in a manner in which they are capable of being reproduced in the form of sound of in which words are contained in shorthand writing or codified, by provision of a written transcript of the words recorded or contained in the information; (e) in the case of a person with a sensory disability, by provision of a record in a format that allows the person to read or listen to the record of the information. (2) Where a person who made the request has requested access in a particular form, the information holder may issue the information in a form he deems proper. (3) Where the form of access requested: (a) contravenes the provisions of the National Security Act; (b) interferes unreasonably with the operations of the information holder; (c) is detrimental to the preservation of the information or having regard to the physical nature of the information it is not appropriate; (d) would involve inordinate huge cost or time to the information holder; or (e) would involve an infringement of copyright other than a copyright owned by the government subsisting in the information, access in that form may be refused and given in another form. | System is not very clear especially as to the extent to which public authorities are required to respond to requesters' preferences in this area. |
| Togo | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Article 12 : L'accès aux informations ou aux documents publics se fait dans la limite des possibilités techniques de l'administration par : - consultation en ligne ; - consultation gratuite sur place, si les conditions matérielles et/ou la préservation du document public le permettent ; - délivrance d'une copie dans la forme ou le format souhaité sous réserve que la reproduction ne nuise pas à la conservation du document ; - courrier électronique et sans frais, lorsque le document est disponible sous forme électronique ; - tout autre mode de communication, conformément à la pratique administrative en vigueur. | Various forms listed but not clear that public bodies have to comply with requesters' preferences in this regard. |
| Ukraine | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 7.2 Nobody may limit the right of person to choose forms and sources of information obtaining, except for the cases stipulated by law. 14.1 1. Information administrators shall be obliged to: 4) allocate special places for requesters to work with documents or their copies, as well as allow requesters to make extracts from them, photograph, copy, scan them, record on any information medium, etc.; | Only a general right to review documents at the place they are held and not a specific requirement to provide access in whatever format is desired. |
| United Kingdom | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Section 11 and 12. | The public authority can refuse to compliance with the requester´s preference if estimates that the cost of complying with the request would exceed the appropriate limit. |
| Uruguay | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | Artículo 13. "(De la solicitud y sus requisitos).- Toda persona física o jurídica interesada en acceder a la información pública en poder de los sujetos obligados por la presente ley, deberá hacerlo mediante solicitud escrita ante el titular del organismo. En dicha solicitud deberá constar:(...) C) Y, opcionalmente, el soporte de información preferido, sin constituir este último una obligación para el organismo." | Art 13(c) mentions preferred formats, but the institutions are not obliged to accommodate. |
| Yemen | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 1 | 22: "If the request is denied, in whole or in part, the employee has to show in a written reply that would be submitted to the applicant, the reason for the rejection of the application and that reason should not be: A. That the information is not held by the party. B. That the information required fall within the scope of one or more exceptions specified in this law and that Article (27) is not applicable while the exception/exceptions that were utilized should be referred to." | Art 22 allows for such transfers, keeping the original timeline, which is good, but they lose a point because transfers are permitted in situations where the other authority has a greater connection to the information. |
| Angola | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | |
| Argentina | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | 5. La información debe ser brindada en el estado en el que se encuentre al momento de efectuarse la solicitud, no estando obligado el sujeto requerido a procesarla o clasificarla. El Estado tiene la obligación de entregarla en formatos digitales abiertos, salvo casos excepcionales en que fuera de imposible cumplimiento o significara un esfuerzo estatal desmedido. Las excepciones las fijará la Agencia de Acceso a la Información Pública. Acceso a la Información Pública, Decree 206/2017. ARTÍCULO 5°.- A los efectos de la presente reglamentación, se entenderá por formatos digitales abiertos a aquellos formatos que mejor faciliten su utilización, procesamiento y redistribución por parte del solicitante. | There is no duty to accommodate requests for non-digital formats. Rather, they must be in digital formats except in exceptional circumstances. Information must be given in "open digital formats" which is defined in the 2017 degree as those formats which best facilitate their use, processing and redistribution. However, it is not clear that the requestor gets to decide which format is best. |
| Belgium | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | The law does not take into account different formats. |
| Bolivia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | 12(II) The entity only has obligation to deliver the information in the state and form in which it is. The petitioner may not require a change of format or that the information be issued in a manner different from that which is stored or filed in the entity. | You only get it in the format in which it is already stored. |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Costa Rica | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | Artículo 2°.- Definiciones. Para efectos del presente Decreto se entenderá por: a. Accesibilidad: disponibilidad de la información pública tanto en medios manuales como electrónicos, en formatos accesibles y abiertos para todas las personas, que permite un ejercicio ágil y eficiente del derecho de acceso a la información. 11. Facilidades electrónicas....Asimismo, en caso que la información pública sea solicitada electrónicamente o en formato abierto, deberá ser brindada al solicitante de tal manera que garantice su accesibilidad…. | The focus is on the accessibility of the information rather than on the format requested by the applicant. While the Constitutional Court has indicated that the requester can choose the format of receiving information, in the context of discussing the digital divide and the need to not only provide information electronically, it has other decisions which say if the authority only has a physical document, no obligation to provide it to the requester in electronic format (i.e. scan it themselves), and that there is no obligation to mail a response where the document is available at offices. Overall, combined with no clear procedure or guidance laid out in the Decree itself, results in 0 points. See Res. 12804-2009; Res. 4723-2010; Res. 494-2012, all as excerpted at https://www.pgr.go.cr/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Respuesta.pdf. |
| Denmark | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Dominican Republic | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | ARTICLE 11. La información solicitada podrá ser entregada en forma personal, por medio de teléfono, facsímile, correo ordinario, certificado o también correo electrónico, o por medio de formatos disponibles en la página de Internet que al efecto haya preparado la administración a la que hace referencia el Artículo 1 de esta ley. | Art 11 - no mention of preferences |
| Ecuador | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Estonia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | 14. Requirements applicable to requests for information "(1) A request for information shall set out the following information orally or in writing: (...) 5) the manner of complying with the request for information." | The requesters can say how they want to have access to the information but the law does not establish the obligation of the public authority to obey such preference. |
| Greece | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Honduras | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | ARTICULO 14. ENTREGA Y USO DE LA INFORMACION. La Información Publica deberá proporcionarse al solicitante o usuario en el estado o formato en que se encuentre disponible. En caso de inexistencia de la información solicitada, se le comunicara por escrito este hecho al solicitante. Los solicitantes o usuarios no podrán exigir a las Instituciones Obligadas que efectúen evaluaciones o análisis de la información que posean. Los solicitantes o usuarios serán directamente responsables por el uso, manejo y difusión de la información publica a la que tengan acceso. | Article 14 - info is delivered in the state available. |
| Indonesia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Israel | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | 7(5) The information shall be made available to the applicant in the form it is kept by the public authority. The public authority is not obliged to process the information according to the needs of the applicant; if the information is computerized, it shall be produced for the applicant through the means customarily used by the authority. | |
| Italy | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Japan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | 14 (Implementation of Disclosure) (1) The disclosure of Administrative Documents shall be implemented by inspection or by the delivery of copies for documents or pictures, and for Electromagnetic Records by methods designated by a Cabinet Order which take into consideration such matters as the type of the record and the state of development of information technology; provided, however, that when disclosure of an Administrative Document is to be implemented by the inspection method, if the head of an Administrative Organ finds that the inspection is likely to hinder the preservation of the Administrative Documents, or for other justifiable grounds, a copy of the documents or pictures may be provided for inspection. (2) The person who will obtain disclosure of Administrative Documents based upon a Disclosure Decision, pursuant to the provision of a Cabinet Order, shall indicate his or her desired method of implementation of disclosure and other matters designated by a Cabinet Order to the head of the Administrative Organ who has made the Disclosure Decision. (3) The indication pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph shall be made within thirty days from the date of the notice prescribed in Article 9, paragraph 1; provided, however, that this shall not apply when there are justifiable grounds for being unable to make the indication within this period of time. (4) The person who has obtained disclosure of Administrative Documents based upon a Disclosure Decision may, within thirty days from the date of obtaining the first disclosure,request the head of the Administrative Organ to the effect of obtaining further disclosure. In this case the proviso of the preceding paragraph shall apply mutatis mutandis. | No – Article 14 allows requesters to state a preference, but the authorities are under no obligation to comply. |
| Jordan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Liberia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned. | |
| Lithuania | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Nicaragua | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned.
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| Niger | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned. | |
| Nigeria | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Norway | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | Section 30 How an administrative agency shall provide access "An administrative agency shall, with due regard for the proper procedure, decide how a document is to be made public.<...>" | An administrative agency decides about the format of public document. |
| Pakistan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned |
| Palau | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | 9(a) Within ten (10) days of any request, all public records produced by a governing body shall be available by any person during regular business hours, unless the disclosure will take more time to produce due to exceptional circumstances or the volume of information requested, is in violation of the Constitution of the Republic, other law of the Republic, or is exempted under this Act. | Not really mentioned but 9(a) seems to imply that the main form of access may be inspection at the public authority. |
| Paraguay | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | Article 12 Form and content. Anyone interested in access to public information, must submit an application to the corresponding office established in the public source, in person, by email, in writing or orally, and in the latter case, a certificate will be issued. The submission shall contain the identification of the applicant, his royal residence, clear and precise description of public information required, and finally, the preferred format or support, without this constituting an obligation for required. | |
| Peru | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | No mention of format preferences. |
| Philippines | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | |
| Portugal | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Qatar | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | ، مادة 13: ...... ويتم تسليم المعلومات ورقياً أو إلكترونياً وفقاً للآلية التي تتوفر لدى الجهة المعنية 13....The information is delivered in paper or electronic form according to the mechanism available to the concerned party. |
No right relating to format is vested in the applicant; instead this is up to the desires of the authority. |
| Romania | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | Not mentioned. | |
| Saudi Arabia | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Sudan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned |
| Sweden | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | Partially | 0 | Chapter 2, Article 12: "An official document to which the public has access shall be made available on request forthwith, or as soon as possible, at the place where it is held, and free of charge, to any person wishing to examine it, in such form that it can be read, listened to, or otherwise comprehended. A document may also be copied, reproduced, or used for sound transmission. If a document cannot be made available without disclosure of such part of it as constitutes classified material, the rest of the document shall be made available to the applicant in the form of a transcript or copy. A public authority is under no obligation to make a document available at the place where it is held, if this presents serious difficulty. Nor is there any such obligation in respect of a recording under Article 3, paragraph one, if the applicant can have access to the recording at a public authority in the vicinity, without serious inconvenience." | The unique limitation listed is clear and it´s under the acceptable:"A public authority is under no obligation to make a document available at the place where it is held, if this presents serious difficulty." |
| Switzerland | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | Not specifically mentioned. | |
| Taiwan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | 13 Once a government agency approves a request for government information, it can provide a copy of the information or allow the applicant to browse, transcribe or photograph upon the type of medium where the information is saved. If the information requested involves intellectual property issues or is hard to make a copy of, the government agency may allow the information to be browsed only. If the government information requested had been made available to the public actively in accordance with any laws or paragraph 1-3 of Article 8 of this Law, the government agency may inform the applicant of the way to obtain the information instead of providing it. | No - it is at their discretion how access is to be provided (Art 13) |
| Thailand | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned. |
| Uzbekistan | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | N/A | Not mentioned |
| Venezuela | Public authorities are required to comply with requesters’ preferences regarding how they access information, subject only to clear and limited overrides (e.g. to protect a record). | Score: 2 points for Yes, only 1 point if some limitations | 2 | NO | 0 | 9...La información de interés público solicitada deberá entregarse de la manera más eficiente y que suponga el menor costo posible para los sujetos obligados. | The opposite: authorities must provide the information in the most efficient/least costly way for themselves. |
