From ‘window dressing’ to ‘door openers’? Freedom of Information legislation, public demand, and state compliance in South East Europe

摘要: Abstract Strong arguments are made that freedom of information (FOI) laws can be particularly beneficial in young democracies while providing an important tool safeguards basic rights. Despite the drastic increase number and quality FOI adopted during last few decades, press around world has fallen to its lowest level over a decade abuses power corruption continue ravage societies world. This comparative study examines outcomes context new South East Europe. It adopts mix methodological approach (1) examine citizen demand for access government compliance with (2) explore structural political conditions affect compliance. Results from data collected Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro suggest positive highly dependent on public supervisory institutions. While non-compliance attributed limited administrative capacities, failure put place structures also indicates erosion leadership will implementation phase as consequence lack demand. article emphasizes importance non-political institutions, spotlighting critical role civil society media.