"Only equitable access to and provision of information, to everyone, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language and religion can truly advance progress in any society," she said. Jensen said that access to information was very closely linked to the role of media in any society as the media played an interesting role as both rights holders and duty bearers, when it came to accessing and disseminating information.
"As rights holders, journalists and all media professionals must be able to access information that is in interest of the general public in order to enable and strengthen accountability, transparency and civic participation," she said. When prosperous societies had transparency and good governance, there was less corruption, she said, adding that with less corruption, there was more money for schools and education and other sectors.
"What we know is that when women and girls are educated, societies are more easily lifted out of poverty," she said, urging the media to strive to use access to information in an ethical manner.
She said the government officials and the public should thus also be aware of how to deal with requests for access to and dissemination of information and not working against the media, but with it by understanding what access to information laws mean and how they can be used effectively to promote transparent and open societies. The International Day for Universal Access to Information has particular resonance and relevance with the new 2030 Development Agenda, and in particular with Sustainable Development Goal 16 target 10.
"Access to information can ultimately help advancing all SDGs because if there is no information accessible, how can one collect data and monitor progress on a variety of topics such as climate change, health indicators, education, gender and economic growth," she said.
Jensen said the right to information was crucial for informed decision-making, for the right to participation in the conduct of public affairs, for monitoring of public actions, for reducing corruption and for enhancing transparency and accountability. "Pakistan has come a long way from the first freedom of ordinance laws in 2002 to progressive laws that are aligned with international standards," she said. Information was a public good and it must be available for everyone, she added.
Later, the participants also discussed the importance of public access to information and how the important information could be obtained through the right of access to information.
They said that open governments were transparent and had mechanisms for public scrutiny and oversight in place with an emphasis on accountability. It was also highlighted during the discussion that the private sector which performs many functions that were previously within the domain of the public sector is largely excluded from right to information laws. They said the investigative journalism and the media in general might unearth information of public interest in the absence of proper legislations.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017