Recent attacks on media freedom in South Africa, that includes the ruling ANC party’s proposal for statutory regulation of the press, have seen press self-regulation fiercely contested and the ombudsman of the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA) defending the press’ constitutional right to freedom of expression. Extensive arguments have been made by government, the public and the press for other forms of press regulation, such as statutory and independent co-regulation. In addition no accurate, detailed trends arising from complaints the ombudsman has dealt with in recent years, have been freely available on which arguments in such a debate could be based. This research analyses the complaints dealt with by the press ombudsman in recent years in order to evaluate the present self-regulatory system, which is based primarily on the theories of freedom of expression and social responsibility of the press. The analyses involves determining what trends exist in complaints cases that the ombudsman, Joe Thloloe, has dealt with since he took office in August 2007, until August 2011 when a Review of his office was published by the PCSA. The study takes a qualitative approach, with some degree of quantification, and utilises document analysis and qualitative content analysis as data collection methods to analyse 593 cases, with specific focus on government complaints which form 15% of all cases analysed. The findings reflect that the ombudsman’s approach in dealing with complaints was fair, that he displayed intolerance for transgressions and that his rulings were free of any obvious bias. This is evident in, amongst other findings, the very few appeals lodged against his rulings and even less successful appeals. In addition the press often voluntarily corrected their mistakes before prompted by the ombudsman. The findings also dispel some of the ANC’s criticisms that have led to its calls for statutory press regulation, such as the public and government’s acceptance of the self-regulation system, complaints from government largely having involved accuracy and not privacy as the ANC claimed, and that government’s failure to sign the legal waiver often resulted in cases being dismissed. The findings also point to a significant increase in complaints, specifically from government, in the year 2010, which is the year in which the ANC renewed its calls for statutory regulation. This does not necessarily reflect a sudden decline in the quality of journalism but rather indicates that the ruling party differed fundamentally in its philosophical thinking regarding the press, which was perhaps informed by a developmental model of the press rather than the social responsibility model on which the present system is based. In this sense the government sees it fit to interfere or censor the press if it feels the system is not performing. The findings show the ombudsman’s office lacked proper record-keeping from which accurate statistics could be derived, leaving a gap for criticism against the ombudsman. In addition, most often complaints against newspapers involved accuracy and fairness (such as not asking for comment). As is evident in several complaints falling outside the ombudsman’s mandate and the high number of dismissed cases, the findings also point to a lack of awareness or information of the system and of the ombudsman’s roles. In light of the theoretical frameworks that set out how the self-regulation system, which is entrenched in the notion of press freedom, can enhance the cause of press freedom by its ombudsman enforcing a socially responsible Press Code, the findings ultimately lead to the conclusion that the ombudsman’s work has advanced the cause of press freedom in South Africa during the research period. / Thesis (MA (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

美國雷曼兄弟公司(Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.)在2008年9月15日向美國法院申請破產保護，宣告進入美國破產法第11章重組程序，此程序影響由雷曼兄弟公司擔任發行或保證機構之連動債券。國內不少投資人購買雷曼兄弟相關的連動債券，因該等連動債券到期返還本金如係由雷曼兄弟公司支付或提供保證，當雷曼兄弟公司發生信用事件時，該公司之信用風險將可能導致該等債券之到期本金無法償付，造成投資人極度恐慌。 本研究從連動債券之發展、定義與類型出發，就投資人所爭議的銷售過程或資訊透明等議題，比較各國連動債券相關之法律規範，並就近年之國內外爭議案例進行法律分析，希望據以截長補短，並就我國在連動債銷售之法律規範之調整及紛爭解決機制等提出具體建議。

Submitted by ALEXANDRE DE MORAES LESSA (alessaa@gmail.com) on 2014-06-19T22:46:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO FGV CONTROLE INTERNO ERJ 6.7, FICHA e Assinaturas.pdf: 4017754 bytes, checksum: 202a775e179785902ddce6b25262a168 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by ÁUREA CORRÊA DA FONSECA CORRÊA DA FONSECA (aurea.fonseca@fgv.br) on 2014-06-24T16:44:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO FGV CONTROLE INTERNO ERJ 6.7, FICHA e Assinaturas.pdf: 4017754 bytes, checksum: 202a775e179785902ddce6b25262a168 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2014-07-14T17:36:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO FGV CONTROLE INTERNO ERJ 6.7, FICHA e Assinaturas.pdf: 4017754 bytes, checksum: 202a775e179785902ddce6b25262a168 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-14T17:36:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO FGV CONTROLE INTERNO ERJ 6.7, FICHA e Assinaturas.pdf: 4017754 bytes, checksum: 202a775e179785902ddce6b25262a168 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-04-29 / The aim of this study is to propose guiding principles for the internal control system of the Executive Power in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in an effort to include activities that involve correction, transparency and corruption prevention, as well as its own ombudsman. Currently, this state system is ruled by Decree No. 43,463 of 14 February 2012, which did not cover the aforementioned activities. This study attempts to demonstrate the importance of integrating those activities in a single system, so as to develop and maintain permanent reporting of all information produced by each activity. Since the internal control is an instrument of accountability, such integration may promote transparency, thus contributing to the actions of social control. The premise for the guiding principles here proposed is the federal model, together with models applied in other states, where the internal control system of their Executive Power has already been structured in order to encompass internal control, correction, ombudsman and transparency and corruption prevention activities. / Este trabalho tem por objetivo propor diretrizes para o sistema de controle interno do Poder Executivo do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, de forma a inserir atividades de correição, de ouvidorias e de transparência e prevenção à corrupção. O cenário atual deste sistema estadual é regido pelo Decreto 43.463, de 14 de fevereiro de 2012, e deixou de fora aquelas atividades. O trabalho contextualiza a importância de que tais atividades integrem um sistema único, a fim de desenvolver e manter permanente interlocução das informações produzidas por cada atividade. Como o controle interno é instrumento de accountability, tal integração pode fomentar a transparência, podendo contribuir para as ações do controle social. A premissa para a proposta de diretrizes do presente trabalho é o modelo federal e o modelo de alguns estados da federação, os quais já estruturaram seu sistema de controle interno do Poder Executivo, contemplando as atividades de controle interno, de correição, de ouvidorias e de transparência e prevenção à corrupção.

Submitted by Paulo Junior (paulo.jr@fgv.br) on 2010-06-09T20:03:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 WALERIA DA CRUZ.pdf: 2361022 bytes, checksum: f3868b3259798627cf43caf84224177b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Paulo Junior(paulo.jr@fgv.br) on 2010-06-09T20:04:59Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 WALERIA DA CRUZ.pdf: 2361022 bytes, checksum: f3868b3259798627cf43caf84224177b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2010-06-10T14:16:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WALERIA DA CRUZ.pdf: 2361022 bytes, checksum: f3868b3259798627cf43caf84224177b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-08-14 / Amongst numerous topics of social interest, this research has focused on the relationship between the state and society, highlighting the role of administrative improbity control as a relevant instrument for improving public management, as well as the living conditions of the general population. The research also emphasizes the role of the Tribunal of Accounts of the State of Pernambuco, the manners in which institutional control is achieved and the way that citizens are able to exercise social control over government authorities. The results of the studies, based on an overview of the literature regarding the subject, together with the experience of the Tribunal of Accounts, not only indicate ways that lead towards social participation, but also the need for constant reflection concerning institutional practices. The research has understood the identification of the communication channels established between the Tribunal of Accounts in Pernambuco and society, through the programs of the Professor Barreto Guimarães School of Public Accounts and, especially, the Ombudsman. The work has also outlined the document provided by the Tribunal, regarding reports of irregularities originating from members of the public. An analysis of the irregularities and the repercussions of the participation of members of the public were observed during the trials that originated from demands by the Ombudsman. The study also offers an overview of the organization and workings of the Tribunal of Accounts in the State of Pernambuco, as well as its relationship with society, while searching for a more effective control of administrative improbity. Considering the innovative nature of investigations within the area of activities within the Tribunal of Accounts, the approach employed by this study has been of an exploratory nature. / Dentre os diversos temas de interesse social, a pesquisa realizada enfocou as relações entre Estado e sociedade, destacando a função de controle sobre a improbidade administrativa como instrumento relevante para o aprimoramento da gestão pública e para a melhoria das condições de vida da população. A investigação destacou a atuação do Tribunal de Contas de Pernambuco, as formas de controle institucional e o modo como o cidadão exerce o controle social da Administração Pública. Os resultados dos estudos, baseados na revisão da literatura sobre o tema e na experiência do Tribunal, apontam caminhos para a participação social e indicam a necessidade de constante reflexão sobre a prática institucional. A pesquisa compreendeu a identificação dos canais de comunicação estabelecidos entre o TCE-PE e a sociedade, por meio dos programas da Escola de Contas Públicas Barreto Guimarães e particularmente da Ouvidoria. O trabalho ressaltou o encaminhamento dado pelo Tribunal às denúncias de irregularidades encaminhadas pelo cidadão à Ouvidora. A análise das denúncias e a repercussão da participação do cidadão foram observadas nos julgamentos dos processos oriundos de demandas da Ouvidoria. O estudo ofereceu uma visão geral da organização e do funcionamento do Tribunal de Contas de Pernambuco e sua relação com a sociedade, em busca de um controle mais efetivo da improbidade administrativa. Tendo em vista a novidade da investigação no âmbito dos Tribunais de Contas, a abordagem utilizada revestiu-se de caráter exploratório.

The objective of this paper is to analyze the causes and antecedents that have contributed to the fact that, in Argentina, the office of Ombudsman remains vacant. Likewise, the normative origins of the organ are reviewed, in order to understand its value and democratic mission. In the ruling entitled Center for Studies for the Promotion of Equality and Solidarity and Others and the Ministry of Energy and Mining under Collective Protection (Centro de Estudios para la Promoción de la Igualdad y la Solidaridad y otros c/ Ministerio de Energía y Minería s/ amparo colectivo), issued on August 18, 2016, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation exhorted the Congress of the Nation to appoint an Ombudsman in accordance with the provisions conferred on it by article 86 of the National Constitution. The Court’s decision exposed a long-standing legal problem: the absence of an Ombudsman. / El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar las causas y antecedentes que han contribuido a que, en Argentina, el cargo de Defensor del Pueblo permanezca vacante. Asimismo, repasa los orígenes normativos del órgano, a fin de comprender su valor y misión democrática. En el fallo caratulado Centro de Estudios para la Promoción de la Igualdad y la Solidaridad y otros c/ Ministerio de Energía y Minería s/ amparo colectivo, emitido el 18 de agosto de 2016, la Corte Suprema de Justicia de la Nación exhortó al Congreso de la Nación a nombrar un Defensor del Pueblo con arreglo a las disposiciones que le ha conferido el artículo 86 de la Constitución Nacional. La decisión de la Corte expuso una problemática jurídica de larga data: la ausencia de un Defensor del Pueblo.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:35:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tony Geraldo Carneiro.pdf: 1781819 bytes, checksum: b03f43777137da02eb4c4de825104098 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-05-14 / Lined in the genesis of national political organization, seeks to reduce the complexity of social and political organization prevailing system, consolidating on key historical events, responsible for building the basis of citizenship and consequent awareness of the need for interaction between rulers and ruled, thus was born the institute of ombudsman public in order to fill the gap of communication and society participation in governance state. This work, in addition to addressing the roots of generating political support base of the institute of ombudsman, brings to fore the changing needs of the institute in national and international bias, limiting the playing field, major public and private actions that corroborated and corroborate the organization and structuring of public sector ombudsmen. Concomitantly, entered to the world of e-governance in favor of a new relational format, improving the emancipatory process of transparency, participation and democratization National. We highlight special attention to the model used in the Federal Executive, the body that is driving the Ombudsman General of the Union, as the work under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply argued that motivated the main arguments (theoretical and empirical) of this research. / Referendado na gênese da organização política nacional, busca-se reduzir a complexidade social e política do sistema de organização vigente, consubstanciando-se nos principais acontecimentos históricos, responsáveis pela construção da base de cidadania e consequente conscientização da necessidade de interação entre governados e governantes. Assim, nasce o instituto das ouvidorias públicas, a fim de preencher a lacuna da comunicação e participação da sociedade na gestão pública estatal. O presente trabalho, além de abordar as raízes políticas geradoras da base de sustentação do instituto de ouvidorias, traz à baila o contexto evolutivo do instituto no viés nacional e internacional, delimitando o campo de atuação e principais ações que corroboraram e corroboram com a organização e estruturação do setor de ouvidorias públicas. De forma concomitante, adentrou-se no universo da governança eletrônica, em prol de uma nova formatação relacional, aprimorando o processo emancipatório da transparência, participação e redemocratização Nacional. É dada especial atenção ao modelo utilizado no âmbito do Executivo Federal, do órgão motriz que é a Ouvidoria-Geral da União, como os trabalhos desenvolvidos no âmbito da Ouvidoria do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, que sustentaram e motivaram os principais argumentos (teóricos e empíricos), da presente pesquisa.

Submitted by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2012-11-01T11:26:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 1422898.pdf: 3802004 bytes, checksum: 99eecf62182f6f619e5566f53e3d867d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2012-11-01T11:27:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 1422898.pdf: 3802004 bytes, checksum: 99eecf62182f6f619e5566f53e3d867d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2012-11-01T11:27:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 1422898.pdf: 3802004 bytes, checksum: 99eecf62182f6f619e5566f53e3d867d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-11-01T11:27:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 1422898.pdf: 3802004 bytes, checksum: 99eecf62182f6f619e5566f53e3d867d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / O tema 'controle social' nunca esteve tão em voga quanto atualmente. Trata-se de mais uma inovação produzida pelo estado democrático de direito, e que consiste, entre outros objetivos, na busca da legitimidade e da eficiência dos atos da administração pública, na redução das distâncias entre esta e a sociedade, na vinculação das demandas sociais às políticas públicas, e, é claro, no fortalecimento dos controles e da fiscalização. A premissa básica deste trabalho é a suposição de que há sinergia entre o controle social e o controle externo exercido pelos tribunais de contas, valendo-se para tal afirmação da avaliação das práticas do Tribunal de Contas do Estado do Tocantins no estímulo à participação cidadã. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho de pesquisa é mostrar como o exercício do controle social, exercido pelo cidadão mediante mecanismos adequados criados pelos tribunais de contas, pode interagir com o controle externo de sua responsabilidade, com ganhos significativos para os controles da administração pública. Entre esses mecanismos, as ouvidorias dessas instituições estão entre as ações mais fortes que promovem o controle social. As ouvidorias nos tribunais de contas representam canais de controle da sociedade sobre a gestão pública, e abrem importante espaço para o debate e o consenso em tomo do objetivo comum dos tribunais e da sociedade: a correta aplicação dos recursos públicos que garanta eficiência, eficácia e efetividade. Para atingir seus objetivos, os tribunais de contas necessitam identificar e coibir as práticas contrárias ao interesse público presentes na formação social brasileira, tais como: a má gestão, a corrupção e a ineficiência. Assim, com vistas a identificá-Ias e coibi-Ias, é fundamental a participação da sociedade, que pode, deve e precisa contribuir neste sentido. Desta forma, apresentamos as práticas dos TCs do Brasil quanto ao tema, e, ainda, em detalhe, a ouvidoria do TCE-TO, e destacamos outras ações de estímulo ao controle social e à participação cidadã executadas por aquela Corte de Contas. / The theme of 'social control' has never been so much in vogue nowadays. This is another breakthrough made by the Democratic State, consisting, among other objectives in the quest for legitimacy and efficiency of the acts of public adm inistration by reducing the distance between it and society, the link between social demands and government policies and of course, the strengthening of controls and surveillance. The basic premise of this work is the assumption that there is synergy between social control and externaI control exercised by the Courts of Accounts, availing themselves to such a statement assessing the practices of the Court of Accounts of the State of Tocantins in encouraging citizen participation. Thus, this research aimed to study whether the exercise of social control exercised by citizens through appropriate mechanisms created by the courts of accounts can interact with the externaI control of its responsibility, with significant gains for the controls of government. Among these mechanisms, ombudsmen these institutions are among the strongest actions that promote social control. The ombudsmen in court of accounts represent control channels of the society on public management, and important open space for debate and consensus around the common goal of the courts and society: the correct use of public resources to ensure efficiency, effectiveness. Achieving their goals in the Courts of Accounts need to identify and deter the practices contrary to public interest present in the Brazilian social formation, such as mismanagement, corruption and inefficiency. Thus, in order to identify them and restraining them, is fundamental to participation in society, who can, should and must contribute to this. Thus, we present the practices of the TCs of Brazil on the subject, and yet, we present in detail the Ombudsman of the TCE-TO and highlight other actions to stimulate social control and citizen participation performed by that Court of Auditors.

Submitted by José Flávio Spindola (fshexa@yahoo.com.br) on 2012-12-03T12:04:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 José Flávio Spíndola_Dissertação.pdf: 5337906 bytes, checksum: f8941dbb4707741056a14674d2de48c9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by ÁUREA CORRÊA DA FONSECA CORRÊA DA FONSECA (aurea.fonseca@fgv.br) on 2012-12-05T11:41:12Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 José Flávio Spíndola_Dissertação.pdf: 5337906 bytes, checksum: f8941dbb4707741056a14674d2de48c9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2012-12-07T11:33:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 José Flávio Spíndola_Dissertação.pdf: 5337906 bytes, checksum: f8941dbb4707741056a14674d2de48c9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-12-07T11:33:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 José Flávio Spíndola_Dissertação.pdf: 5337906 bytes, checksum: f8941dbb4707741056a14674d2de48c9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-10-05 / Before the growth of the number of ombudsman inside the Brazilian institutions and in individual, in the public enterprises, the fulfilled inquiry boarded the relations between the society and the State, detaching, like central subject, the institute of the ombudsman as tool for improvement of the public management. The inquiry investigated the ombudsman of the DETRAN-PE and of the METROREC emphasizing the treatment given to the demonstrations of the citizen. The results of the studies, based on the revision of the literature on the institute of the ombudsman, wrapping concepts, objectives and a conceptual model is left ombudsman, they point to ways of social participation and indicate that it is resulting implemented actions, producing benefits for the society and for the institutions. The elements analysis like the historical of creation of his ombudsman, the functioning structure, the forms of actings and indicators in the treatment of the demands, allowed to carry out comparisons on the performance of the ombudsman in these two organizations. The present work also did observations on some aspects of dissonance found between the conceptual model of the institute of the ombudsman and the investigated ombudsman, being the need for reflection on his institutional practices in force. The study made possible a view on the institute of the ombudsman in the institutions DETRAN-PE and METROREC, observing his interactions with the social actors, bringing near the most social public management of a slope, by means of the effective participation of the citizen, putting the institute of the ombudsman to service of the society and of the institution, like tool for the improvement of the public management. / Diante do crescimento do número de ouvidorias dentro das instituições brasileiras e em particular, nas empresas públicas, a pesquisa realizada abordou as relações entre a sociedade e o Estado, destacando, como tema central, o instituto da ouvidoria como ferramenta para melhoria da gestão pública. A pesquisa investigou as ouvidorias do DETRAN-PE e do METROREC ressaltando o tratamento dado às manifestações do cidadão. Os resultados dos estudos, baseados na revisão da literatura sobre o instituto da ouvidoria, envolvendo conceitos, objetivos e um modelo conceitual sobre ouvidoria, apontam caminhos de participação social e indicam que há ações implementadas decorrentes, gerando benefícios para a sociedade e para as instituições. A análise de elementos como o histórico de criação de suas ouvidorias, a estrutura de funcionamento, formas de atuações e indicadores no tratamento das demandas, permitiu realizar comparações sobre o desempenho das ouvidorias nessas duas organizações. O presente trabalho também fez observações sobre alguns aspectos de dissonância encontrados entre o modelo conceitual do instituto da ouvidoria e as ouvidorias pesquisadas, havendo a necessidade de reflexão sobre suas práticas institucionais vigentes. O estudo possibilitou um panorama sobre o instituto da ouvidoria nas instituições DETRAN-PE e METROREC, observando suas interações com os atores sociais, aproximando a gestão pública de uma vertente mais social, mediante a efetiva participação do cidadão, colocando o instituto da ouvidoria a serviço da sociedade e da instituição, como ferramenta para a melhoria da gestão pública.

La coopération entre les autorités de régulation en matière de communications électroniques et d’énergie s’inscrit dans le contexte de mutation de l’administration européenne qui est intervenue au fil des deux dernières décennies. Son architecture institutionnelle est marquée par la forte européanisation des autorités de régulation,laquelle est le résultat de l’harmonisation opérée par le droit de l’Union européenne et de la diffusion de meilleures pratiques. La coopération entre les autorités de régulation se fonde néanmoins sur des principes juridiques flous en droit primaire. Elle est de plus marquée par l’ambigüité de la délégation des pouvoirs à l’échelle de l’Union européenne. Dans les deux secteurs étudiés, elle traduit l’hybridation des modèles de gouvernance que sont les « agences de l’Union européenne » et les « réseaux d’autorités », car elle a donné naissance à une « agence en réseau » puissante dans le domaine de l’énergie - l’ACRE- et à un « réseau agenciarisé » faible en matière de communications électroniques– l’ORECE.Pour assurer l’effectivité de l’ « Union de droit », les actes de ces organismes de l’Unioneuropéenne sont contrôlés par le juge de l’Union européenne, dont la saisine par lesparticuliers reste malheureusement difficile. Dans ce contexte, le Médiateur européen présente un potentiel fort en tant qu’instance de contrôle complémentaire. Quant au prétendu déficit démocratique souligné par les détracteurs de l’Union européenne, il est ici démenti car le Parlement européen assure un contrôle démocratique efficace sur les organismes étudiés. Si ses moyens de contrôle politique sont largement informels et méritent d’être approfondis, le contrôle qu’il exerce dans le cadre de la procédure de décharge budgétaire peut, quant à lui, déboucher sur une transformation de l’architecture institutionnelle des organismes étudiés. / The cooperation among regulatory authorities in the field of electronic communications and energy takes place against the background of the transformation of the european administration in the last two decades. Its institutional design bears the mark of the europeanisation of regulators through the harmonisation brought about by EU law and the diffusion of best practices. The cooperation among regulatory authorities is formalised on the basis of a primary law that is vague. It is also marked by ambiguity with regard to the delegation of pouvoirs on a European level. In the sectors of energy and electronic communications, it reflects the « hybrisation » of two models of governance, European agencies and networks, giving birth to a powerful « network agency » in the field of energy-the ACER- and a weak « agenciarised network » in the field of electronic communications- the BEREC. The control of the acts of these two organisms in a « Union of law » is ensured by the Cour of justice of the European Union which is, however, difficult to accessfor individuals. In this context, the European Ombudsman demonstrates a real potential as a complementary forum of control. Against a priori hypotheses with respect to the democratic deficit of the European Union, the European Parliament effectively ensures the democratic control of ACER and BEREC. Even if its means of political control are largelyinformal and should be better defined, the control it exercices in the context of the budgetary discharge procedure is capable of transforming the institutional design of the above mentioned organisms.

由於生產技術日益精進，商品製造過程繁複，功能亦趨於複雜，導致商品潛在危險性昇高，加上產業結構多層化及行銷策略廣告化，以致責任體系模糊不清，而企業經營者更挾其鉅力萬鈞的經濟優勢，利用誇大不實的商業廣告，麻醉、鈍化消費者選購商品的能力，或因標示不實，欺騙、誤導消費者的認知，並產生種種危險，形成對於個人生命、身體、健康或財產上的威脅，造成消費者與企業經營者間的糾紛。由於企業經營者不但擁有雄厚人力、財力及資訊優勢，加上今日的生產過程，多具有高度技術性與高度複雜性，經濟上弱勢的消費者在私法體系中，無論在事前消費資訊獲得或事後爭議救濟過程上，並未擁有對等的地位，一旦在消費過程中遭遇到健康上或財產上的損害，很難循傳統之民事法律規範獲得有效救濟，也因為不容易獲得法律上的救濟，使得消費者對於維護自己的權益遭遇到困難，而怨聲四起。 因此先進國家無不以立法、司法及行政措施，來保護消費者應有之權利，透過政府公權力，提供一個便捷的管道，讓消費者得加以諮詢或申訴所遭遇到的消費爭議。台灣在消費者保護法（以下簡稱消保法）公布實施後，在立法上已經形成一個制度化的消費者保護體系，其中最特殊的就是設立消費者保護官（以下簡稱消保官）制度，當消費爭議發生時，透過申訴、調解程序，幫助消費者與企業經營者協商，以維護消費者之基本權益。 依北歐國家的法律規定，保護官（Ombudsman）指保護一般市民免受政治或行政權濫用之害，並為其權利守護神之官吏而言。北歐四國，即瑞典、挪威、丹麥及芬蘭，均只有一位消保官，且均為政府所任命，獨立行使職權，積極介入調查影響市場交易習慣之案件，以保護消費者權益，對良好市場交易習慣之建立，貢獻良多。瑞典係第一個成立消保官之國家，距今已有近40年之歷史，其雖僅有一位，然其位高、權重、受人敬重，主導整個國家之消費者政策及市場交易習慣，且整個消費者總署均為其輔佐幕僚。反觀我國，消保官設立至今已逾12年，然有關消保官之法規，除消保法之外，僅有消保官任用及職掌辦法、消保官執行職務應行注意事項、指揮消保官行使職權要點，是否符合行政程序法之規定，不無疑義。而各地方政府消保官之設置單位並不一致，有設於府本部，有設於法規會或法制室，亦有設於主秘室、建設局、企劃室或行政室等，此不僅反應消保官之定位不明，且導致消保官有將無兵，影響消費者保護工作之推展。目前包括中央及地方已有44位，行政上不僅無輔佐之幕僚人員，且須受上級長官之指揮監督，與北歐各國實不可同日而語。誠然兩者之任用資格及職掌並不完全相同，但會造成此種結果，實與整個國家之制度設計有相當大之關係。 本論文將先就北歐四國消保官設置之沿革、地位、運作、管轄、申訴及權限等作一簡介，其後論述我國消保官制度，俾比較兩者之異同，分析其優劣，以作為改進我國制度之參考。消保官之設置，既係消保法立法特色之一，亦為能否充分發揮保護消費者功能之主要關鍵所在。自第一位消保官就任以來，至今已逾12年，究竟消保官之制度與當初之設計是否吻合？該制度究竟是否有存在之必要？又如有存在之必要，是否有未盡完善之處？又如有未盡完善之處，究應如何改善？為期能有全盤及深入瞭解，爰就我國現行消保官制度之相關問題予以探討，並試擬消保官制度未來應發展之方向。