Court: fine for Klaipeda deputy mayor for not providing information to journalist in time
A Lithuanian court fined the Klaipeda deputy mayor for failing to timely provide information to a journalist regarding a study funded by taxpayers' money.
The case arose after an audit of the Klaipeda City Municipality revealed expenses related to various studies, which led to interest from the editor of the online portal 'Atvira Klaipėda'. One particular study, costing around €10,000, investigated the need for establishing another municipal company. The editor, M. Vainorius, requested the municipality representatives to provide the study results, given that public funds were utilized for it. However, the request was denied based on the claim that releasing the study would harm municipal interests.
When the editor did not receive the requested study, he sought a written response from the municipality, intending to appeal to the administrative disputes commission if the request was ignored. Despite the statutory obligation for authorities to respond to journalists' inquiries within a specific timeframe, Vainorius received no timely feedback, prompting him to take legal action against the municipality.
This incident highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in government operations, particularly when public funds are involved. The court's decision emphasizes the legal requirements for municipalities to provide information to journalists promptly, reinforcing the role of media in holding public officials accountable for their decisions and actions. The fine for the deputy mayor serves as a cautionary tale for other officials regarding compliance with public information laws.