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"Access to public information is a prime source"
In this interview, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Organization of American States (OAS), Catalina Botero Marino, A review of the state's right of access to public information in the region and realize why it is essential to its use in the practice of journalism.

In July 2008, Catalina Botero was elected Rapporteur by the Commission on Human Rights and became the first woman to hold this post since the creation of this body in 1997. The presiding Rapporteur is responsible for ensuring the protection and promotion of freedom of thought and expression in the region. In an interview with the regional network Journalism for Access to Public Information, Botero takes stock of the situation the right of access to public information.

- What stage of development has the right of access to information public today in the region? The right of access to information has reached an important development in recent years. In the case of Claude Reyes and Others v. Chile, Inter-American Court established that everyone, without having to prove a special interest has the right of access to information that the State administered or produced or to be given or produced. In this regard, the State has an international obligation to provide the public with information on an informal and ongoing, and establish flexible and efficient mechanisms for access to the information requested. The ruling of the Court in this case is the most important decision produced on this issue. The OAS General Assembly has spoken repeatedly about the importance of the right of access and the Inter-American Juridical Committee approved at its 73rd regular session a resolution on the right of access to information, which recognizes the inter-American standards in the field. Both the commission and the Special Rapporteur, have consistently emphasized the scope and meaning of this right. -

How important is the enactment of laws guaranteeing the right of access to public information? It is essential that these laws exist. However, this is insufficient. Without real access law that meets the standards international human can not really speak of compliance with international obligations enshrined in Article 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights.

Indeed, the laws relate to the administration, judges and legislators themselves to meet the requirements of this law, beyond the will of those in a historical moment occupy their respective offices. In this sense, the laws should be applicable to all branches of government (all entities and all levels) and the list of exceptions must meet the strict requirements of legality, legitimate aim and necessity that Article 13 establishes the Convention. It is also important to devote appropriate resources to enable the realization of the right to access independent and effective judicial control.

When asked in relation to the measures which it considers should be implemented together with laws on access to information for them to be truly effective, she emphasizes that "practice has shown that the existence of laws on access to information is insufficient to guarantee the right of access ", and in that sense says that" it is necessary to implement special measures on issues such as custody, filing and administration of information held by the state. "

also says that it is essential to implement appropriate policies and training programs for public officials and citizens in general, practice oriented to banish forever the culture of secrecy. " - How relevant is the right of access to public information as a source of investigative journalism? Do you have part of their plans to carry out training the Special Rapporteur on the right of access to public information to journalists? Is essential.

is one of the privileged sources in order to have an impartial view of the situation and to make a coverage that goes beyond the official version of events. The Special Rapporteur has scheduled seminars in 10 countries in the region for the next the year.In the 2008 tour of the region, Catalina Botero visited Argentina and said that the monitoring of reforms on access to public information is one of the five themes priority of his administration.

said that on access is a sea-change in the legal culture of the continent. "Before it was all about confidence in the state. Today the center are the rights of individuals. If the center are the rights of individuals, there are additional duties in the State. The rights of people assume my right to control the state and I need to know what the government is doing. "