Rare opportunity

Lebanon just got a new tool to promote government transparency and accountability, as well as prevent and fight corruption. Entering into force in February 2017, a new access to information law allows anyone to request specific information from virtually all government entities. From doctors needing public health data, researchers looking for economic and social indicators, bankers, industrialists, retailers and other business owners needing figures to make long-term investments, to journalists investigating government expenditures – anyone can make use of the law, and everyone should. All one has to do is send a request describing the information sought to the office(s) that might hold it. The access to information law also requires government entities to publish key documents on their websites, including an annual report (see special feature). The law is a tool to help battle corruption, anti-corruption activists say, because it would increase the level of transparency between the government