Estonia's legal chancellor receives award for most press-friendly public figure

Tallinn, Dec 19, 2002. Estonia’s legal chancellor Allar Jõks received the annual award of the Estonian Newspaper Association (EALL), promising to keep his office as an example for others regarding openness and transparency.

"The award is a big recognition to me," Jõks said upon receiving the traditional gold-colour megaphone from the Newspaper Association. "This is a sign that the legal chancellor's office has selected the right path in informing the public."

Jõks was praised by the association for his efforts to make the institution more open and transparent. Jõks said that had been one of his promises in taking office.

EALL said that Jõks has used the media to explain the reasons of complicated legal arguments to the public. He has given an important contribution to acknowledging the position of the legal chancellor in Estonian society.

Legal chancellor is the highest authority responsible for judging whether laws passed by the parliament are constitutional.

Environment Minister Heiki Kranich was found to be the least friendly to the media for bureaucratically restricted access to ministry officials, in particular on the regional level.

EALL