Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and the touchstone of all freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated [1]. The right falls under freedom of expression (defined as the right to seek, receive and impart information). There can be no enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression if people do not have access to information.
This right imposes a duty on the government to facilitate public access to information. Freedom of information involves access to informa...read more
Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and the touchstone of all freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated [1]. The right falls under freedom of expression (defined as the right to seek, receive and impart information). There can be no enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression if people do not have access to information.
This right imposes a duty on the government to facilitate public access to information. Freedom of information involves access to information held by public officials and by private bodies that carry out activities that affect the public in general.
The right to freedom of information is encapsulated in International Instruments. It is enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and protected in international human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
