FreedomOfInformationPolicy

General Provisions 1. Public entities shall ensure that these Policies are in line with their regulatory documents, policies and procedures, and shall circulate same to Public all agencies affiliated or associated therewith to ensure integration and achievement of the intended objectives. 2. Public entities shall balance between the right to access and obtain information and other necessary requirements, such as national security and personal data protection. 3. Public entities shall comply with these Policies and shall document such compliance on a periodical basis, in accordance with the mechanisms and procedures determined by these entities after coordination with NDMO. 4. The Regulatory Authorities shall – in coordination with NDMO – develop the mechanisms, procedures, and controls related to addressing complains within a specific timeframe and in accordance with the organizational hierarchy. 5. Public entities shall notify NDMO in the event that the request to access or obtain public information is rejected or that the response period to provide said information has been extended provided that such information falls within the scope of these Policies. 6. A public entity shall, upon contracting with other entities, such as companies performing public services, periodically verify the compliance of such entities with these Policies as per the mechanisms and procedures determined by the entity itself, including any subsequent contracts concluded by the other entities. 7. Public entities shall have the right to set additional rules for handling requests related to specific types of public information according to their nature and sensitivity, after coordination with NDMO. 8. Public entities shall prepare forms for the requests to access or obtain public information, whether in a paper or electronic format, specifying the Public required information and the possible means to provide the required information. 4.7 Freedom of Information and Open Data Open data programs and policies are usually prepared and developed around the world to support growth of the national economy and innovation agenda. Needless to say, to make available and publish a specific dataset of public information for researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and start-ups helps to create a conductive environment for business growth, and emphasizes the work of an open and transparent government. Open data programs and policies also represent a proactive step taken by public entities to uphold the right to access public information by making available and publishing a specific dataset of public information, as open data, ahead of being requested. As such, it is expected that effective open data programs and policies will reduce the number of requests to access public information, and this will consequently lower government expenses related to processing such requests. Public