What are the right access to information?
The right of access to information belongs to everyone. In principle, every person has the right to request access to information held by the State. Article 13 of the Convention establishes expressly the rights to seek and receive information as components of freedom of expression.
Under what circumstances does a government have a right to withhold information from the public?
The FOIA provides that when processing requests, agencies should withhold information only if they reasonably foresee that disclosure would harm an interest protected by an exemption, or if disclosure is prohibited by law.
Why is it important to access information?
Why is access to information so important? The right of access to information empowers citizens to obtain information held by public bodies (with limited exceptions). It encompasses a right to request and receive information, as well as an obligation for governments to publish information proactively.
What refers to a citizen right to access information is held by the state?
Freedom of Information refers to a citizens right to access information that is held by the state, this act was amended in 1996 to include the Electronic Freedom of Information Act, which states the government agencies must make certain types of records electronically available to the public.
What is an example of accessing information?
Access to information. In the previous chapter, we defined five examples, or types, of retrieval-based information service: archives, libraries, management information systems, museums, and records management.
Do we have a constitutional right to get government information?
FOIA, 5 U.S.C. Section 552, establishes a presumption that all records of government agencies are accessible to the public unless they are specifically exempted from disclosure by FOIA or another statute.
What is the meaning of access to information?
Information access is the freedom or ability to identify, obtain and make use of database or information effectively.
What do you understand by information access?
Is there a right to access information held by public bodies?
In a case decided in 2005, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights held that the right to freedom of expression included a right to access information held by public bodies. The case is presently on appeal to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
What is access to Information Law?
Access to information laws reflect the fundamental premise that government is supposed to serve the people. There are, however, a number of more practical ideas underlying the recent widespread recognition of the right to information.
What is required for effective access to information?
“Requests for information should be processed rapidly and fairly and an independent review of any refusals should be available.” Effective access to information requires both that the law stipulate clear processes for deciding upon requests by public bodies, as well as a system for independent review of their decisions. [28]
What is the general principle on access to official documents?
General principle on access to official documents Member states should guarantee the right of everyone to have access, on request, to official documents held by public authorities. This principle should apply without discrimination on any ground, including national origin.