Tag: Access to Information

Public access to information is an important driver of sustainable development. Accurate facts and figures are needed to ensure education for all, to foster inclusive economic progress, or to better protect the environment. Therefore, the right to access information has been included in the United Nation’s Agenda 2030 as target 16.10 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), highlighting its significance for positive change and a better future for all.

Mongolia’s Constitution guarantees its citizens the freedom of opinion and expression and the right to information and to publish. In 2011 the Law on Information Transparency and the Right to Information (LITRI) was adopted following consistent lobbying from civil society.

From 26-27 March, GFMD participated in a gathering of local and national governments along with  civil society actors in Tunis. The Technical Consultation was an opportunity to focus on the key messages related to the Inclusive Institutions dimension of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16).

On March 4th and 5th, Global Focus held an international conference titled “Claiming Civic Space Together – Joint strategies to ensure development and humanitarian action” in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Through its dedication to supporting independent journalism and broad public access to information, GFMD has committed to enhance the reporting process of Right to Information (RTI) laws as well as to assess the extent to which these laws are being enforced by public bodies in certain countries.

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly launched the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This guide aims to inform the overall process pursued by a committed state toward realising these SDGs.

On 21 February, the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD) launched a methodology aiming to assess Right to Information (RTI) implementation laws in Pakistan during a workshop held in Islamabad.

Our own Navya Hebbar joined right to know (RTK) advocates, journalists, and many others on 27 September in Tunis, Tunisia, for UNESCO’s IPDCtalks conference.

ARTICLE 19 has been monitoring progress on SDG 16.10 since the adoption of the goals in 2015. As of July 2018, at least 123 countries comprising 90% of the world’s population have a right to information law or policy.

FOIAnet has updated their map of Right to Know Day activities happening around the world to mark International Right to Know Day. FOIAnet’s RTK Day activities are meant to help journalists, activists, citizens, and others become better equipped to hold governments accountable, uncover corruption, and strengthen societies.