On September 28 at “Regine” hotel in Yerevan the ceremony of awarding the winners
of Freedom of Information Center’s annual competition took place. The event
was dedicated to the International Right to Know Day (established in 2002) and
organized with the assistance of USAID.
The most open institution in 2009 was named to be the Administration of Azatan
village of Shirak region.
The RA Ministry of Territorial Administration was recognized as the best state
structure to place data through Internet.
In 2009 “Bridge of Hope” NGO was the most active and efficient in using its
right to information.
The most active defender of his civil right to get information was named Yerevan
citizen Armen Galstian.
Among all the journalists, the one most consistent in covering the freedom
of information issues and actively using the RA Law “On Freedom of Information”
was announced Grisha Balasanian – for a cycle of articles on the activities
of local self-government bodies, published in “Aravot” daily and in the FOI
Center newsletter “You Have a Right to Know”.
By tradition all persons and organizations, listed above, were conferred prizes
of a gold key – as a symbol of openness.
Artur Poghosian, judge of RA Administrative Court, received a special award
– for restoring the right on freedom of information.
The rusty lock, a symbol of secrecy, was awarded to the state non-commercial
organization “Office on Implementing Programs of Construction and Investments
in Yerevan” – for not fulfilling the requirements of the RA Law “On Freedom
of Information”.
