MALAWI n = 20 Yes No Partial Additional Information 1. Is there an official designated to take and respond to information requests? • Public Relations Manager 2. Did the institution reply within 21 days? • Responded within hours after the request was sent 3. Did the institution respond to the request for information? • 4. Does the authority publish their procedures for dealing with information requests? • 5. Did the institution provide all of the information requested? • 6. Did the institution provide written reasons for the refusal of information? • 7. Did the institution disclose information about its operations, budgets, structure etc. The website contains facilities for requests for information and has contacts for all councilors. This facilitates access to relevant officials at the Council. • 8. Did the authority provide information without questioning the aims and motivations of the applicant? • 9. Did the institution acknowledge your request for information within 7 days? • 10. Was the information received clear and understandable? • Total Score: 17/20 2. Blantyre Water Board Category 1: Website www.bwb.mw Blantyre Water Board has the following sections on its website: About BWB; Customer Services; News and Media; Tariffs; Projects; Reports; Social and Welfare; Downloads; and FAQs. This website is well-updated and provides detailed reports. Apart from the website, the organisation also has a well-detailed and updated Facebook account. The most interesting section of the website is the “FAQs” section, where the website provides an opportunity for customers to ask questions about the organisation and its operations. From the researcher’s point of view, the organisation provides relevant answers to the questions. However, even though the website details the organisational structure and functions of the administration, it does not provide specific contact details for public officials. n = 20 1. Does this website contain up to date information? Yes No Partial Additional Information • 2. Does the website contain the following: a) A description of its powers, as well as data on the organisational structure, the functions, and the responsibilities of the administration? • b) A list of laws, Acts etc. issued within the scope of its powers? c) Reports, policies, programmes? • There is little information on signed contracts and agreements. • e) Information about procurement procedures, signed contracts? f) Vacancy and employment procedures? 14 Laws governing the organisation are just mentioned in passing. • d) Budget and expenditure? g) The address, telephone number, and working hours of the institution? • • •