Transparency is Your Right: Fight for It!

This episode empowers Romanian citizens to actively exercise their constitutional right to access public information. Transparency is Your Right: Fight for It! delves into the challenges of navigating bureaucratic barriers and equips listeners with the tools to overcome them using Law 544/2001, the key legal instrument guaranteeing public access to information.

The episode explores:

• The foundation of transparency as a constitutional right, emphasizing that accessing public information is not a privilege but a fundamental right protected by law.

• Law 544/2001 as the cornerstone of this right, enabling citizens to request a broad spectrum of information, including public budgets, salaries of public officials, public acquisitions, grants, administrative decisions, public investments, job descriptions, and public services.

• Clear exceptions to this right, such as national security concerns, personal data protection, and protected commercial information, providing a nuanced understanding of the legal boundaries.

• A step-by-step guide on submitting information requests, highlighting the importance of a well-crafted, written request that explicitly cites Law 544/2001, clearly describes the requested information, and includes accurate contact details.

• How to respond to institutional resistance or denial, including:

  • Filing a reclamație administrativă (official complaint) to the institution's leadership.

  • Escalating the matter to the Tribunalul de contencios administrativ (Administrative Court) if the complaint is ignored or unjustly rejected.

• Debunking common excuses used by institutions to deny requests, such as claiming they are not obligated to respond or demanding justifications for information requests.

• The civic importance of transparency illustrates how demanding public information promotes accountability, prevents abuses of power, and ensures the responsible use of public funds.

This episode not only educates but also inspires listeners to fight for transparency, reinforcing that a well-informed citizenry is essential for a just and democratic society.

This discussion is inspired by the articles "Bureaucracy Under Siege: The State Can No Longer Escape Transparency!" and "Transparency Is Not Optional! What to Do When the State Ignores You?"published on DreptUnghiuri.

Read the full stories here:

If you need legal assistance or guidance on exercising your rights under Law 544/2001, contact contact@mihaelapaunescu.ro for expert legal support.