Presenting the Report, the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, Rodoljub Sabic, stressed that there has been noticeable progress as regards freedom of access to information of public importance and that the process is invertible. However, the situation calls for a more modern understanding of free access to information of public importance by having the public authorities publish as much information on their work as possible on their web pages, said Sabic, deeming that the National Assembly is at the forefront as regards public outreach.
The Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection also outlined the problems this state body faces, first and foremost as regards the lack of staff and inadequate office space and working conditions.
The Committee members expressed their pleasure at the quality and progress of the state body’s work. They discussed the Commissioner’s further activity plans in the new five-year mandate, as well as possibly expanding his authority once he notes a violation of irregularities in the work of public authorities as regards free access to information of public importance and personal data protection.
Following the debate, the Committee accepted the 2011 Report on the implementation of the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance and the Personal Data Protection Law. The Committee members also formulated the following Conclusion, with a measure proposal, which they forward to the Government:
- It is necessary to secure adequate offices for the Commissioner, as soon as possible, and the Culture and Information Committee will be monitoring the realisation of this part of the Conclusion;
- Insist on the execution of the Commissioner’s binding and executive decisions;
- Insist on a higher degree of transparency of all public authorities and publication of information on their work on a proactive basis.

The sitting was chaired by Vesna Marjanovic, Committee Chairperson.