Transparency and accountability within state institutions are essential to democratic governance, and freedom of information is one of its foundational elements. Strengthening accountability and transparency in public institutions has been highlighted as a crucial condition for Georgia’s European integration process. However, access to public information remains a significant challenge.
Freedom of information is particularly valuable in investigative journalism, where access to public data enables the media to investigate, uncover, and expose government misconduct and corruption. Access to public information is a powerful tool in combating disinformation as it provides reliable, verified facts that counteract false narratives and prevent the spread of misleading or manipulative content.
The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), a member organization of MAC, has been monitoring access to public information in Georgia since 2010. Through its consistent monitoring efforts, IDFI has significantly contributed to identifying key trends and challenges in public information access.
