Access to information
We all need information to live – and journalists need information to do their job.
Universal access to information is part of the UN´s sustainable development goals – goal 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
Around 130 countries in the world have legislation to secure access to information https://www.rti-rating.org/country-data/
Maybe it can become an universal law – which can lead to a global revolution of openness, it has been said.
JMIC has collaborated with one of the world’s leading freedom of expression organizations – Article 19 – about workshops in training in access to information as a journalistic tool for investigative journalists in East Africa, North Africa and South Asia the last years.
An informal network of journalists from many countries in Africa, Asia and the Arab region has been created. We have used local teachers and some international teachers. In some countries we have collaborated with local organizations for investigative journalists.
Together with UNESCO´s headquarters and local offices around the world we have arranged seminars on access to information in for example Palestine, Pakistan and Uganda.
We have celebrated September 28 as the international day for universal access to information – last year with an international digital seminar at OsloMet with a focus on the pandemic: A right to know: How can we ensure reliable information in times of crisis? See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qEixQghvwU
READ MORE:
Passing a law is not enough by Tarjei Leer-Salvesen
Access to information as a tool in cross-border journalism by Tarjei Leer-Salvesen and Maren Sæbø
Access to information in a transparent society by Helge Rønning
Access to Information in the Nordic countries by Oluf Jørgensen
More information about access to information can be found here: