ICOM Unveils Alarming Lack of Information Disclosure Among 206 Agencies

The Information Commissioner’s Office of Maldives (ICOM) has revealed that 206 agencies have disclosed less than 10% of required information on their websites.

According to the findings, only a small number of agencies have fully complied with disclosure requirements, with 7 agencies achieving a 100% publication rate, and 12 agencies disclosing between 75% and 95% of required information. 

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However, the majority of agencies fell short, with 43 agencies publishing between 50% and 74%, 69 agencies disclosing between 25% and 49%, and a staggering 154 agencies providing only 10% to 24% of required information. Alarmingly, 209 agencies disclosed less than 10% of the mandated information.

The study also highlighted the prevalence of unusable websites among various sectors. Among the notable findings, only one government agency, 124 schools, 164 health agencies, 13 hospitals, 119 island councils, 7 Atoll councils, and 13 agencies under Ministries were identified as lacking usable websites.

In contrast, certain agencies demonstrated proactive disclosure practices, with the Maldives Pension Administration Office, Elections Commission of Maldives, Tax Appeal Tribunal, Drug Court, Kulhudhuffushi City Council, and Fuvahmulah City Council being singled out for disclosing the most complete information on their own initiative.

Further analysis revealed that out of 935 state agencies monitored, only 494 possessed functional websites, defined as those containing any amount of information within the past 12 months. This indicates that nearly half, or 47%, of state agencies lack a functional online presence.

Overall, the study concluded that the majority of agencies have fallen short of legal disclosure requirements, with less than 20% of mandated information being published on their websites.