Many of the future challenges for freedom of information are on the global stage, stated David Banisar, senior legal counsel of Article 19, in the final speech at the 7th International Conference of Information Commissioners in Ottawa, Canada.
The agenda should include pushing for more information in the environmental context, transparency at the United Nations and greater recognition for International Right to Know Day, Banisar said. Article 19 is a London-based advocacy group on freedom of information and expression.
“We have much to be proud of,” Banisar stressed at the outset. It has “not been said enough, but we have been really successful in what we have done” over the past 10 years, citing the growth in the number of FOI laws, among other things. “There is really an acceptance that the right of information is really important,” he said, urging that the importance of access be recognized as an essential tool in many areas.
“Open data is exciting many new people into the field but data without context is ultimately unfulfilling. Technology tools, while cool and sexy… do not resolve the need to be able to get the information in the first place,” according to Banisar.
“We should ensure that calls for improvements in FOI do not get sidetracked by open data promises,” he added.
Calling the Open Government Partnership “very laudable,” Banisar nevertheless called for more of an emphasis by the OGP on creation of enforceable rights to access information. The OGP “sets a Chinese menu model for selection of how to define adequate levels of access,” continuing, “How it determines adequacy should be reconsidered.”
Crystal Ball, Challenges
In 10 years from now, almost no countries in the world will not have some kind of information law, Banisar predicted. Also, the right to information will be recognized as a right much as freedom of expression is now, he said.
The problem of information held by international bodies “will grow” he predicted,
More countries will adopt privacy laws, he said, saying the problem will be “dumb privacy laws, without proper balance.”
He said fears that FOI restriction based on national security concerns would expand in the wake of 9/11 proved to be exaggerated.
Technology is “an opportunity and a challenge.” Too much is now collected, but it also is easier to disseminate. Technology is a driver of demand, he said.
The trend of violence against right to information users needs to be addressed, he stated.
Next Steps
Banisar recommended that the 2012 United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development be used as an avenue to develop a new international treaty on access to environmental information and sustainable development goals that would include a requirement for RTI laws.
Aid transparency also is an important future priority, he said, noting the upcoming meeting on the subject in Korea.
In addition, the United Nations should adopt a UN Freedom of Information standard.
He also said International Right to Know Day Sept. 28 should made an internationally recognized day by the UN.
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