{"id":150140,"date":"2021-05-04T20:50:03","date_gmt":"2021-05-04T20:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asiapacificreport.nz\/?p=57262"},"modified":"2021-05-04T20:50:03","modified_gmt":"2021-05-04T20:50:03","slug":"pacific-journos-call-on-governments-to-uphold-public-right-to-information","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/05\/04\/pacific-journos-call-on-governments-to-uphold-public-right-to-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Pacific journos call on governments to uphold public right to information"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Geraldine Panapasa in Suva<\/em><\/p>\n Information as a public good is a powerful theme for this year\u2019s World Press Freedom Day<\/a> and serves as a reminder to Pacific Island governments that the public have a right to information that affects their lives, says a Fiji-based media educator.<\/p>\n Associate Professor Shailendra Singh, coordinator of the regional journalism programme at the University of the South Pacific\u2019s Laucala campus, said that as the people\u2019s representatives, governments were sworn to uphold this right to information.<\/p>\n In his World Press Freedom Day message, Dr Singh said Pacific news media played a crucial role in facilitating public access to information.<\/p>\n Besides acting as a conduit for information, he said the media had the additional job of protecting the public\u2019s right to information, further underscoring their pivotal role.<\/p>\n \u201cIt goes without saying that this year\u2019s WPFD theme is not just a reminder for governments, but also for journalists and media organisations about their sacred duty to uphold the public right to information, which is a contested, rather than a guaranteed right,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed, trends indicate that some Pacific governments are more inclined to attempt to limit the public\u2019s access to information, for one reason or another.<\/p>\n \u201cFor journalists, the challenge is to produce accurate, balanced and relevant information to be delivered in timely fashion to as wide an audience as possible. It requires a high level of professionalism to be doing this job diligently on a daily basis.\u201d<\/p>\n Implement greater access<\/strong> \u201cHowever, regional governments seem more inclined towards legislation that hinders the free flow of information and access to it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor example, the Vanuatu government\u2019s implementation of criminal defamation legislation this week could arguably be seen as an impingement on the public\u2019s right to information.<\/p>\n\n
\nIn recognition that information is a public good, Dr Singh said governments could implement greater and easier access to information through the Access to Information Act and Whistleblower Protection Legislation.<\/p>\n