Freedom of information combats corruption in Spain

According to media reports, the Spanish government is working on a freedom of information law which would give citizens easier access to information held by public institutions. The left-liberal daily El País is full of hope: "With more transparency we would have less corruption; if the authorities were forced to give citizens access to documents about how public money is used, contracts on building projects, the minutes of meetings or the content of expensive experts' opinions. Then there would be fewer false debates. ... It is to be hoped that the new law will put an end to the blanket of fog surrounding the authorities and politicians which is apparent in the fact that every time a compromising piece of information becomes public their reaction is to find out who leaked it rather than to find out whether it's true or not and who was responsible for the misdeed being denounced."

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