By A.A. Fenty

-The Freedom of Information Challenge

Admittedly – perhaps regrettably – I did not pay much attention, or interest, when the issue of Freedom of Information legislation gained a degree of national momentum two years ago.

Well, I had occasion – and good reason – to correct my lapse just a few days ago. The issue resonated amongst participants at a Media and Parliament Workshop, with robust vigour. Naturally, the national media highlighted the issue through its print and electronic outlets. What with the sentiment, the emotive elements and the vast array of implications arising from the debate, I, a former Government Chief Information Officer, a Public Relations “practitioner” and one on the periphery of journalism, just had to be interested – somewhat intimately.

So for the layman, now justifiably pre-occupied with the daily challenges of living in this land, I will now present aspects of the subject. Hopefully in such a manner that will help the most indifferent of citizens to appreciate how the Freedom of Information law will eventually influence personal activity and lives – and national interests and behaviour. We’re all never too old to learn. Right?

FOI – WHAT AND WHY
But what is this “Freedom of Information” actually all about? Essentially, and simply, it is the call for legislation to institutionalise – by definition, direction, regulation, conditions and enforcement – citizens’ right to know!

A little long-winded? And to know what? Whatever Party you voted for last time, the fact remains that as a citizen of the Republic, you have a right to know just what the government and its state institutions are doing in your name and on your behalf – the latter sometimes, allegedly. As the recent Workshop – in the majority – argued: if the public must know and participate in decisions that will affect their lives, they must enjoy an enforced right to know – to know facts and figures, conditions of certain conclusions, statistics and their meanings related to population investments, budgetary allocations, about their representatives’ public earnings, taxes, assets, how the national patrimony is being managed. Oh man, the list is long. But why is this right important? When fuel and medicines, recreation and education, are more personal priorities and concerns?

Precisely because those concerns (might) emanate from the abilities or failure of those in employed authority – paid for by you – to deliver, one way or the other. Governments, especially those Administrations claiming that they superintend “Democracies”, are expected to legislate their citizens’ freedom to/of information, rights. However, not many governments – democratic or not, seem to be comfortable with, or in any hurry, doing so. There is some fear of the people and their detractors knowing too much. The fear is linked to a perceived erosion of authority, power, the status of the holder of national confidentialities and secrets.