Right to Know Day Marked: Awaiting Legal Amendments and End to Abuse of Right

“Today, we mark International Right to Know Day while awaiting amendments to the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance and an end to the abuse of this right,” stated Sanja Unković, Deputy Commissioner (currently performing the duties of the Commissioner). She expressed hope that the next Right to Know Day would be welcomed in a more positive atmosphere, allowing discussions on how to strengthen this right, bring it closer to citizens, and make it more effective through public authorities’ consistent application of the law.

Representatives of international organizations also highlighted the importance of the right to access information: Ambassador Marcel Peško, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia; Evgenia Giakoumopoulou, Acting Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade; and Radim Dvorak, Head of Press, Information and Communication, Section at the European Union Delegation to Serbia.

They emphasized that the right to access information is vital for both citizens and journalists, as reliable facts are essential to informing the public. The Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance is considered a key mechanism for obtaining such information.

Milan Marinović, who held the office of Commissioner until July 26, 2026, also spoke at the event. He expressed hope that one of the first laws adopted by the new convocation of the National Assembly would be the Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance.

Marinović also highlighted the importance of ratifying the Tromsø Convention, which concerns the right of access to official documents.

To mark this year’s “Right to Know Day,” the Commissioner’s office presented awards to public authorities that have contributed to advancing and promoting the right to free access to information.

Awards were presented to:

• The National Bank of Serbia – in the category of highest public authorities;
• The Accreditation Body of Serbia – in the category of republic-level authorities;
• The Provincial Secretariat for Finance – in the category of provincial authorities;
• The City of Novi Pazar – in the category of local self-government authorities;
• The Higher Court in Pančevo – in the category of judicial bodies;
• The City Center for Social Work Belgrade – in the category of other public authorities;
• The Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Priština temporarily based in Kosovska Mitrovica – Special award for fulfilling legal obligations under challenging conditions.

The main award for special contribution to promoting the right of access to information—presented as a statuette—was not awarded this year either.

The event also saw the presentation of the Commissioner’s latest (15th) publication, which contains the Commissioner’s positions and opinions regarding issues and events from the previous year.

Acting Assistant Secretary-General Slavoljupka Pavlović highlighted that, for the first time, the publication includes a special section dedicated to the obligation of public authorities to publish Information Booklets regarding their work.

The event recording (in two parts) can be seen below: