ARHIVSKI VJESNIK 42. (ZAGREB, 1999.)

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C. Gränström, Access to current records and archives, as a tool of democracy, transparency and openness of the government administration, Arh. vjesn., god. 42 (1999), str. 79-92 Summary ACCESS TO CURRENT RECORDS AND ARCHIVES, AS A TOOL OF DEMOCRACY, TRANSPARENCY, AND OPENNESS OF THE GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION The paper will try to describe the most essential features regarding access to official documents/records. The first matter is to establish that there is a trend towards increased openness in Europe today. The reasons for this are evident; to obtain and keep the confidence of the public. The first thing, which is necessary to perform, is to define what constitutes an official document. This has become even more important in the digital society. Then it is established that even in an open society there can not be unlimited access. The reasons for this limitation are described. Furthermore, there must be established routines and rules about access. What kind of impact privacy and copyright legislation can have on access to personal and other data are described. It is emphasised that these factors have become much more important regarding electronic documents. Then the paper turns into the fact that there is a growing need for establishing practical measures for ensuring that the right of access is guaranteed by elaborated rules and provisions. Archival routines, such as cataloguing or inventorying, appraisal, are important in this aspect but nevertheless neglected. Also the complex and difficult matter about authenticity in the digital world is discussed. Some conclusions about the future and the implications for the archival profession are brought forward. • 92