The Tribune

DECLARING the public’s right to know the public’s business, two organisations representing powerful interests and ethics convictions officially joined hands last week to urge passage of the much-touted and long-awaited Freedom of Information Act.

The Bahamas Press Club, composed of journalists from print, electronic and social media, united with environmental rights advocates Save The Bays, saying together their voices would be louder and their call for “the public’s right to know” more emphatic.

“It has been said repeatedly and with great accuracy that Freedom of Information is the bedrock of democracy,” said Anthony ‘Ace’ Newbold, president of the Press Club and a veteran broadcaster with ZNS. “The public has a right to know what business the government of the day is conducting on its behalf. Whether that is how revenue is spent or what loans are being considered, government’s business is the people’s business. For years, journalists in The Bahamas have been forced to resort to begging for information that by every international standard would be considered in the public domain.”

Save The Bays Chairman Joseph Darville said the environmental group made seeking freedom of information among its five initial major campaigns.

“There have been far too many cases of developments being approved without consultation even with those in neighbouring settlements or communities, cases where a plant spewing noxious fumes is located next to a school because no one knew before it actually happened,” said Mr Darville.

“The public was kept in the dark. It is only through transparency that you can achieve accountability.”

Freedom of Information legislation has been a hot political issue. It was first passed by the FNM government shortly before the 2012 election. However, the FNM failed to legislate a date for its implementation. The Bill was to come “into operation on such date as the Minister may appoint by notice published in the Gazette, and different dates may be so appointed for different provisions.”

However, on coming to power the PLP government failed to set a date. Instead it was repealed by the administration which said it wanted to amend regulations that it called onerous. It has been reported that amended regulations have been drafted but without freedom of information, both groups say they are still trying to obtain the most recent version in order to provide comments.

“Until we have a truly transparent government, we shall never be able to trust fully or to provide the kind of respectful commentary and consultation that could make The Bahamas a better place for all,” the organisations said in a joint statement.