Law Campaign
Right to know day 2006
Since 2002, freedom of information advocates around the world have been working together to promote the right of access to information for all people and recognize the benefits of transparent and accountable governments. We use this day as a way to share ideas, strategies and success stories about the development of freedom of information laws and genuinely transparent governance.
International Right to Know Day was established to mark the founding on 28 September 2002 of the global Freedom of Information Advocates Network. In 2006 the 4th International Right to Know Day is being celebrated. The aim of Right to Know Day is to raise awareness of every individual's right of access to government-held information: the right to know how elected officials are exercising power and how the tax-payers' money is being spent.
Activities around the globe!
In 2005 around 45 civil society organizations in over 30 countries around the globe marked Right to Know Day with activities that included:
(1) An all-day conference on current challenges to Freedom of Information.
(2) Release of reports by NGOs on different aspects of open government including secrecy policies, transparency of political finance contributions, and results of monitoring studies.
(3) Presentation of Awards
- Awards for institution with the best system of providing information
- Awards for best web site from the perspective of the access to information law
- Awards for a media outlet making best use of information requests in preparation of its publications and/or broadcasts
- Awards for best article/broadcast prepared on the basis of information received using an FOI law.
- Awards for NGOs that have contributed most to the promotion and protection of the right to information.
- Awards for a citizen who had exercised his/her right of access to information for the benefit of the community.
- Negative awards for institutions not fulfilling their obligations under the FOI Law.
- Negative awards for “the most ridiculous answer to an access to information request”.
(4) A public debate on openness between government officials and journalists/NGOs.
(5) Selection and dissemination of interesting news stories over the past year that were based on information released under the FOI law.
(6) Selection and dissemination of the most strange, stupid and/or funny responses to requests and refusals to provide information
(7) Selection and dissemination of the most shining examples of attempts by public officials to help the public with their search for information.
(8) Publication of a "Black List" of those public officials/institutions who impaired and infringed the right to access to information.
(9) Publication of posters, banners, cards, brochures, and pamphlets with "Right to Know" slogans etc.
Source: Foia blog.
