International Right to Know Day

28 September 2011 – International Right to Know Day

Your right to information: New partnership to develop Vanuatu Media Development and Freedom of Information Policy

Government, civil society organisations and the media are working together to develop a media development policy, including freedom of information legislation, for Vanuatu. Freedom of information (FOI) is the principle that every person has a right to access information held by organisations and governments, based on the public’s right to be informed.

Developing the policy in consultation with civil society and the media reflects the Vanuatu Government's commitment to openness, transparency and good governance, and reflects the Government's commitment to implement the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).  The Vanuatu Government acceded to the UNCAC in July this year.

It also builds on the recognition of the role that the media plays in the development process and how it connects the citizens with the state. The initiative to develop a strategic policy direction of media development in Vanuatu is very timely to address the challenges of disseminating information to the 75% of population living in rural areas and also how to keep citizens abreast of development news.

The policy will outline the Government's approach to managing and providing access to information, and will set guidelines on how ministries and departments engage with the media. While FOI is for everyone, the media has a special role in disseminating information, and it is important for the media to have accurate and reliable information when it reports on issues.

The policy will provide internal principle guidelines on how the Government deals with the media and hopes to encompass relevant legislation on freedom of information, media and communications.  It is hoped that the policy will further encourage the openness and right to access information held by organisations and governments, based on the public’s right to be informed.

The partnership to develop the policy was formed at a ‘Right to Know’ workshop organised by the Media Asosiesen blong Vanuatu (MAV) and hosted jointly with Transparency Vanuatu (TV), and includes representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ombudsman’s Office, Parliament of Vanuatu, the State Law Office, TV and MAV.

28 September is International Right to Know Day, celebrated around the world to encourage greater government transparency and accountability through providing access to public information.