(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 19 August 2002 ARTICLE 19 press release: ARTICLE 19 LAUNCHES LATIN AMERICAN FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BULLETIN ARTICLE 19, the Global Campaign for Free Expression, today launched an electronic freedom of information bulletin for the Latin American region. The first edition of the bulletin contains articles by NGO representatives, […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 19 August 2002 ARTICLE 19 press release:
ARTICLE 19 LAUNCHES LATIN AMERICAN FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BULLETIN
ARTICLE 19, the Global Campaign for Free Expression, today launched an electronic freedom of information bulletin for the Latin American region.
The first edition of the bulletin contains articles by NGO representatives, lawyers, journalists and academics from nine different countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The bulletin has been created to provide an up-to-date resource for campaigners to ensure they are informed of developments within the respective freedom of information campaigns throughout the region. The construction of an international network revolving around the bulletin is designed to encourage the exchange of ideas and experiences.
Participating countries include Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru. The bulletin also includes a contribution from Jamaica. The bulletin is available in Spanish, Portuguese and English and will be published on a bi-monthly basis.
A freedom of information law is essential to create a healthy, functioning democracy by facilitating the meaningful participation of all people in public life. Without proper mechanisms to ensure easy access to information held in the State’s possession, it is impossible for people to hold their government to account for the decisions and actions it carries out in its people’s name. Secrecy impedes public debate and creates an environment in which corruption and inefficiency flourish. It also contributes to a relationship between people and government which is characterised by distrust and scepticism. A freedom of information law is one part of the solution to these problems.
Although the first freedom of information law was passed more than two hundred years ago, few are more than twenty years old. Over the last five years, we have seen laws passed in almost every region of the world and in the last few months, freedom of information laws have been passed in Mexico and Peru, in what has been a historic turning point for the Latin American continent.
The bulletin can be found at: http://www.article19.org/Homepage.asp?AreaID=31&SubAreaID=151
ENDS
For more information on freedom of information, please consult ARTICLE 19’s publications “The Public’s Right to Know; Principles on Freedom of Information Legislation” and “A Model Freedom of Information Law”. Both publications are available on the ARTICLE 19 web-site: www.article19.org
