There are financial costs related to the collection of information and national laws often allow public institutions to charge fees to the requestor. Some fees can cover costs relating to, for example, applications, searching or copying. The charging of fees for gaining access to information can also, however, be a barrier to such access, in particular for those living in poverty. In the absence of any oversight, some fees can be imposed abusively.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
Governance & Rule of Law
Poverty
Person(s) affected
N.A.
Year
2013
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
SR Freedom of Opinion, Report to the UNGA (2013), A/68/362, para. 82.