Just released: Guide for EU Delegations to Strengthen Access to Information

Brussels, February 2019 – Media4Democracy has released a practical guide to support EU Delegations’ actions to strengthen access to information as a fundamental right and as vital to promoting participatory democracy, good governance, freedom of expression and other fundamental rights, and human development.

EU Delegations are at the frontline of these issues and can have substantial impact on strengthening governments’ commitments to access to information – a fundamental right of citizens to access information held by public bodies. Information access has particular relevance within the new 2030 Development Agenda, notably with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 16.10 which calls for ensuring public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms.

Supporting Access to Information – A Practical Guide for EU Delegations provides the policy and practical guidance for EU Delegations on improving implementation of existing laws, mobilising and supporting civil society to defend and advocate for these rights and supporting media actors in using access to information in efforts to fight corruption and hold government to account.

The Guide gives hands-on examples for EU Delegations to study and to emulate, as well as relevant policy guidance, including a review of the EU’s own recent history and regulations in this area. It builds off the guidance in the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline that describe actions the EU Delegations and Member States can take to support access to information.

Supporting Access to information - A practical guide for EU Delegations