A new BIRN analysis highlights persistent failures across the Balkans in implementing freedom of information (FOI) laws. While most countries in the region have adopted legal frameworks guaranteeing public access to information, enforcement remains weak and inconsistent. Authorities often delay responses, deny requests without justification, or impose unreasonable fees, with little risk of sanctions. Oversight institutions are frequently underfunded and lack the power to ensure compliance. The report identifies serious concerns in Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo, where delays, refusals, and institutional silence obstruct transparency and weaken accountability. In North Macedonia, nearly 70% of appeals remain unresolved years after filing. These trends pose serious risks to civic participation, investigative journalism, and anti-corruption efforts across the region. The report calls for stronger enforcement, improved institutional independence, and legal mechanisms to ensure timely access to public information. Read more here.
