The Tribune

THE NEED for a public education campaign for a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in the Bahamas was highlighted last night as a group of civil society organisations came together to implore the government to follow a proper consultative and informational process.

The Organisation for Responsible Governance, Citizens for a Better Bahamas, The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, The Nassau Institute, The Bahamas Bar Association, We the People, HeadKnowles and Save The Bays laid on a Public Education Forum at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, Mackey Street, at which the public could learn about the importance of freedom of information, the government’s proposed legislation as well as express their opinion.

The group called for the Ministry of Education and the Attorney General’s Office to ensure that the necessary revised draft FOIA legislation is provided to the public in advance of a suitable number of scheduled public education and consultation town hall meetings, to be held around the country. Last month, the government announced the public consultation phase would end on Thursday but town hall meetings so far have been poorly advertised and attended.

A FOIA was passed in Parliament in early 2012, during the Ingraham administration; however there was no enforcement date for that legislation. The PLP government created a revised bill in 2015, which is still in draft form. Last month, Jerome Fitzgerald, the minister responsible for the FOIA, said the bill would “probably” be tabled in the House of Assembly by November.