with the freedom of information bill still intact people dont know the usefulness of that bill, in terms of a journalist or a group of persons can walk into some government institutions and get some classified documents (at least a photocopy ) and read to enlighten yourself of the politics going on in your country.
in the developed countries such as the united states of america there is even this facility available on the internet where you dont need to go to the specified government office or institution, all that information is in a very open and secured database.
And to my greatest surprise that was one of the facility radio biafra are using to backup their information, they use the foi bill in Nigeria to a certain percentage and the public records facility in the united states to their advantage.
goodlluck jonathan signed the bill that was vetoed by obasanjo for every nigerians advantage.


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Jonathan Signs Freedom Of Information Law

Nigeria's leader, Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday signed into law the Freedom of Information Act as passed by the National Assembly. That was one day after a copy of the bill was delivered to him by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa.
by SaharaReporters, New York May 31, 2011

Nigeria's leader, Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday signed into law the Freedom of Information Act as passed by the National Assembly. That was one day after a copy of the bill was delivered to him by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa.

In theory, the 18 -page document has now become the official freedom of information law by which Nigerian citizens can seek access to official information, but it remains to be tested.

The bill, which first made an appearance in the National Assembly in 1999, languished there in the years that followed as legislators squabbled over it and President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed open hostility to it. It made some progress early in 2007 and was passed by both chambers, but it was then vetoed by President Obasanjo.

After Obasanjo’s departure, the bill finally achieved some traction despite many other hurdles, and was finally passed by the National Assembly last week by the lawmakers who had watered it down considerably. Among other things, they claimed it would compromise national security.

In a joint statement today in Abuja, the Right to Know initiative, Media Rights Agenda and Open Society Foundations celebrated the FOI law as a victory for democracy, transparency, justice and development.

"With the new law, Nigerians finally have vital tools to uncover facts, fight corruption and hold officials and institutions accountable," said Ms Ene Enonche, Coordinator of the Right to Know initiative.

Her enthusiasm was shared by Maxwell Kadiri of the Open Society Justice Initiative. "The new law will profoundly change how government works in Nigeria,” he said. “Now we can use the oxygen of information and knowledge to breathe life into governance. It will no longer be business as usual."
The new law is a testament to the staying power of civil society, demonstrating how committed groups can work together to ensure laws which support the rights of the people.

Jonathan’s quick assent to the bill follows earlier indications he had given that he would sign it once it came to him. In a statement in Abuja today, O.J. Abuah, who is of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said that while the objective of the Act is to make public records and information more freely available, it is also “to also protect public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy.”

He pointed out that the new law would protect serving public officers from any adverse consequences of disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorization.

Section 4 of the law provides that when a public institution receives an application for information, it shall make such information available to the applicant within seven days. If such an institution feels that such information cannot be granted, it is to inform the applicant in writing stating the reasons for such a decision and the section of the law under which the refusal is made.
http://saharareporters.com/2011/05/31/jonathan-signs-freedom-information-law
if you dont like the hate speeches from the radio filter the information or words coming out from their mouth.
if you check some of my posts i was actually trying to counter the information i get from radio biafra until i decided to embark on a full scale investigation and i found out that 85% of their words were true.
i was able to get some friends who helped me with the research, now for those who are curious as to what i found out am sorry i cant tell you, you will have to go through the same stress i passed through.
it is said that truth doesnt come looking for you, you search and inquire for the truth.
"my people perish because of the lack of knowledge"
make use of it before our freedom of information expires.
thank you.