From TC Weekly News

Developing countries in the Caribbean have recognised the role of a free media in the democratic process and the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Progressive National Party (PNP) has committed to passing a Freedom of Information Ordinance if elected.

In the English–speaking Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda (2004), Belize (1994), Jamaica (2002), and Trinidad and Tobago (1999) have passed access legislation and several countries including the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Guyana are discussing their own draft legislation.

At-Large candidate for the PNP and former Chief Minister, Mr. Washington Misick, told the Weekly News that the Freedom of Information Ordinance will be a priority of a PNP administration.

He said, “One of the things we have to do is find out what legislations have been drafted and prioritise them.

“We can only move as fast as the legal resources allow us, but definitely the Freedom of Information Ordinance is important.

“I cannot say it will happen in the first 100 days, because we have a large number of important legislations, such as socially related legislations, that we have to address, but it something we must deal with.”

Misick added that in the interim there are other provisions that will support access to information.

He referred to the party leader, Dr. Rufus Ewing’s commitment to being transparent in governance.

According to Misick, this commitment includes making public their list of targets, of which the public will be able to judge the progress.

He noted too that a PNP administration will hold regular post cabinet press briefings, as well as issue weekly updates from the Premier’s office.

In an invited comment, Ewing said there will also be continuous collaborations with Turks and Caicos Islanders so they are involved in the process and will be able judge the party’s administration of the nation’s affairs.

“You will know what we will be doing every step of the way,” Ewing posited.

Neighbouring Bahamas, this year introduced their Freedom of Information Act and Environment Minister, Mr. Earl Deveaux, in his contribution in the Bahamian House of Assembly in March, said, “This freedom of information law has the potential to dispel fears about secret deals, cronyism, personal favours, preferential contracts, and other perversions of the public interest for private gain.”

Governments worldwide are moving towards openness and transparency with the development of legislation to facilitate access to information, which has been touted as an essential requirement for modernisation of the public sector and for effective governance.

Factors influencing the approval of this legislation have included internal and external pressures from civil society, local and international press associations, and regional and international organisations.

Freedom of Information laws have an overall objective of mitigating corruption and provide the general public with the ability to request documents and other materials held by all government agencies and other agencies receiving public funds.

The exemptions identified under the laws are usually based on ensuring national security.

For more on this story go to:

http://tcweeklynews.com/pnp-commits-to-passing-freedom-of-information-ordinance-if-elected-p3046-1.htm