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Trayko Popov
Recognizing the significance of access to information, the 74th UN General Assembly proclaimed 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) at the UN level in October 2019.
International human rights law specifically recognizes the right to access to information. Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, echoing article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, protects everyone's right to seek, receive and impart information of all kinds. States have an obligation to respect and ensure everyone enjoys this right without distinction.
Access to Information Laws enable:
A citizen first needs to send a written request to the relevant public body. It is important to be as specific as possible with regard to the information that you seek, such as the authority that holds the information or the date when the record was created. Some Access to Information Laws specify how long public institutions have to process the requests of citizens. If a citizen does not receive the information requested, citizens can normally complain to the information commissioner.
Access to Information laws also requires authorities to be proactive in putting information of public interest into the public domain, without the need for requests.
Limited exemptions must be based on narrow, proportionate, necessary and clearly defined limitations. Exceptions should apply only where there is a risk of substantial harm to the protected interest and where the harm is greater the overall public interest in having access to the information. Bodies should provide reasons for any refusal to provide access to information. The 2022 UNESCO survey on Access to Information, found that most countries evoke national security, privacy and legitimate commercial and other economic interests as permissible exceptions.
In response to the annual UNESCO survey on access to information, information commissioners reported that their activities include the provision of implementation guidance and/or offered training to officials from public bodies. The majority of them also engage in activities to raise public awareness. The right to access to information forms part of media and information literacy skills so that young people can know the law, how to formulate an information request and how to appeal if their right is not respected.
On 28 September 2022, International Day for Universal Access to Information, UNESCO publishes its annual Report, on Public Access to Information based on a survey of 123 countries and territories.
URL:
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/what-you-need-know-about-access-information