Freedom of Information Act Needed
Legislative provisions that improve access to and the sharing of information are vital to integrity. Such provisions enable the public to detect instances where something maybe amiss in the affairs of government. In turn, this detection increases the likelihood that transgressors will be caught and ultimately held accountable. Therefore, government ought to prioritise a Freedom of Information Act.
In its absence, a culture of secrecy within government and the reluctance to make probing inquiries become commonplace. Furthermore, Barbadians are left routinely reliant upon external entities to obtain the details of their very own existence. Therefore, legal and administrative obstructions to information continue to be a smear on good governance and the character of Barbados’ democracy.
Ultimately, it would be in government’s best interest to pass a Freedom of Information Act to avoid the presumption that secrecy equates to impropriety.
“I believe that a guarantee of public access to government information is indispensable in the long run for any democratic society. If officials make public only what they want citizens to know, then publicity becomes a sham and accountability meaningless” – Sissela Bok, Swedish Philosopher.