Freedom of Information Policy

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​What information can be requested, and what information is excluded?

The policy applies to all requests coming from any individual to access or obtain public information – Unprotected – produced by TVTC, regardless of the source, form or nature. 

The provisions of this policy do not apply to "protected information" such as:

1. Information that, if disclosed would harm the state's national security, policy, interests, or rights. 

2. Military and security information.

3. Information and documents obtained by an agreement with another country and classified as protected.

4. Inquiries, investigations, seizures, inspections and surveillance in relate to a crime, violation or threat.

5. Information that includes recommendations, suggestions, or consultations for issuing a governmental legislation or decision that is yet to be issued.

6. Commercial, industrial, financial or economic Information that, if disclosed would result in gaining profits or avoiding losses in an illegal manner.

7. Scientific or technological researches, or rights that enclose an intellectual property right that, if disclosed would lead to an infringement of an incorporeal right.

8. Information in relate to competitions, bids and auctions that, if disclosed would violate the competition fairness.

What are the Main Principles of Freedom of Information?

TVTC adheres to the following principles for freedom of information:

First principle: Transparency

Individuals have the right to access information related to public entities’ activities to enhance integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Second principle: Accountability and Reasonable Justification 

Any restrictions on requesting access or obtaining protected information received, produced, or managed by public entities must be justified in a clear and explicit manner.

Third principle: Public information Disclosure

Every individual has the right to access or obtain public information – unprotected – and the applicant does not necessarily have a certain status or interest in this information to be able to obtain it and is not subject to any legal accountability related to this right.

Fourth principal: Equality

All the requests for access to information are treated equally and in a non-discriminatory manner.​

What are the Rights of Individuals to Access Public Information? 

First: The right to access and obtain any public information – unprotected– that TVTC has.

Second: The right to be informed about the reason for the denial of the request for access to information.

Third: The right to file a notice of appeal against the decision to refuse the request for access to information.​

What are the Steps and Procedures to Request Access to Public Information?

First: Applications should be submitted by filling out a “Public Information Request Form”.

Second: Within (30) days of receiving the request to access or obtain public information, TVTC shall take one of the following steps:

A. Grant: In case TVTC grants a request to access to or obtain information in whole​ or in part, the applicant would be notified of the applicable fees by either written or electronic notification. TVTC shall make this information available to the applicant within a period that does not exceed (10) working days of receiving the payment.

B. Denial: In case TVTC denies a request to access to or obtain public information, the rejection decision shall be communicated in writing or electronically and shall include the following information:​

C. Extension: In case TVTC is unable to respond to the request in the due time, TVTC shall extend the time of response within a reasonable time given the size and nature of the requested information - does not exceed an additional (30) days- and provide the applicant with the following information:​

Third: Determining the fees for processing requests to access or obtain public information based on the nature of the data, its size, the effort spent, and the time taken - in accordance with the Data Revenue Framework Regulation from National Data Management Office- and notifying the individual of fees and collect the amount.

Fourth: In the event the applicant wants to appeal a denial by TVTC, they could submit a written or electronic notice of appeal to the Data Management Office within a specific period of time, not exceeding ten (10) working days after receiving the decision of TVTC. The Board of Grievances and Complaints shall review the application- in accordance with the Grievances and Complaints Settlement Mechanism in the Data Management Office, make the appropriate decision and notify the applicant of the review fees – it is retrieved if the Board approves the request – and the appeal decision.​

What are the General Rules?

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1. TVTC provides the form for requesting public information – whether paper or electronic – through which the applicant can request access to public information. 

2. TVTC has the right to verify the identity of individuals before granting them the right to access or obtain public information in accordance with the controls determined by the National Cyber Security Authority and related authorities.

3. TVTC sets the necessary standards​ for determining the fees for processing requests to access or obtain public information based on the nature of the data, its size, the effort spent, and the time taken - in accordance with the Data Revenue Framework Regulation from National Data Management Office. 

4. The applicant shall be notified- in an appropriate manner - in the event the request is rejected in whole or part, explaining the reasons for the denial and the right to appeal and how to exercise this right within a period not exceeding (15) days after making the decision- in accordance with the mechanisms, procedures and controls related to managing complaints in a specific time frame and according to the organizational hierarchy.​

Related legislation:

National Data Governance Policies 

Anti-Cyber Crime Law

Essential Cybersecurity Controls​

What are the Alternative Methods of Obtaining Data? 

In order to enhance the principle of transparency and the right to access public information, TVTC makes a specific sets of information available as an open data before requesting access to it. The available open data can be obtained directly by visiting our ​​ Open Data Library​​, the National Open Data Portal​, or by submitting a request on the following link​​​.