Armenia awards annual prize "Golden Key and Rusty Lock"

The project "Week of Freedom" launched on September 21 was completed on September 28, the International Day of Freedom of Information with awarding the annual prize of the Freedom of Information Centre (FIC) "Golden Key and Rusty Lock" with assistance of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

As reported by Anait Kocharyan, the executive secretary for PR of the above Centre, this year the event was dedicated to the 10th anniversary of FIC. On the outcomes of the contest, the prize "Golden Key" was given to a number of state and public organizations, and individuals. The independent jury included representatives of nine NGOs.

For the best practical application of the law "On Freedom of Information" of the Republic of Armenia, the "Golden Key" was given to the Ministry of Education and Sciences of Armenia.

The website of the Ministry of Justice www.moj.am received the prize for best 2011 official website.

The Kotaik Regional Administration received the "Golden Key" for the best official initiative aimed at ensuring the freedom of information in 2011. In particular, Mr Shakhgeldyan, the head of the Kotaik regional administration opened a FIC on his own initiative under his administration. According to Ms Kocharyan, this initiative is in fact unprecedented.

The public organization "Victims of State Needs" was the best, who exercised the right to receive information.

The laureates of the "Golden Key" for the most active coverage of the problems of the freedom of information are Arman Danielyan (online newspaper "Lragir"), and among the media - the PanArmenian.net and portal hra.am.

The "Rusty Lock" for the most ridiculous official response went to two organizations: the governmental Committee on State Revenues of Armenian and Cooperation "Amalsarakanner".

On the anniversary of the FIC, 10 prizes were also awarded to those organizations, which have made - within the decade - substantial contributions to the freedom of information in Armenia.

As noted by Shushan Doidoyan, Chair of the FIC, awarding annual prizes for the freedom of information strengthens the society's control over state bodies.

"It forces the government agencies to be more transparent and accountable to the society," said Ms Doidoyan. "For many organizations this award is a good incentive to improve their work and eliminate shortcomings."

At the same time, she added that the prize "Golden Key and Rusty Lock" encourages ordinary citizens, journalists, and public organizations to become advocates of the people's right to be informed and active users of the law "On Freedom of Information" of Armenia.