Headline: "Access to Public Information Under Threat: IFJ Highlights Five Cases of Restrictive Measures Across the Globe"
Subheading: "On International Day for Universal Access to Information, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) spotlights five cases of governments and security forces hindering journalists’ work and infringing the public’s right to access information"
As the world marks the International Day for Universal Access to Information, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has highlighted five cases of governments and security forces restricting access to public information and hindering journalists’ work.
The IFJ has identified five cases from different regions of the world where the universal right to information has been infringed upon. These cases demonstrate the increasing trend of governments and security forces restricting access to public information, thereby limiting the ability of journalists to carry out their duties and the public’s right to know.
Middle East and the Arab World: Israel’s blockade of Gaza and restrictions on foreign media
The IFJ has condemned Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which has prevented Palestinian journalists from reporting on the ground and has restricted access to foreign media. The IFJ has also criticized Israel’s policies of terrorizing and killing Gaza’s journalists, which are aimed at controlling the narrative of the war and cloaking human rights violations.
Africa: Somalia’s Official Information Bill poses threats to freedom of information
The IFJ has expressed concerns over Somalia’s Official Information Bill, which has been approved by the Council of Ministers and is awaiting approval from the Federal Parliament. The bill contains provisions on confidentiality and national security information, which could lead to a culture of secrecy and undermine the public’s right to access information.
Asia-Pacific: Journalists summoned for not revealing sources in Malaysia
The IFJ has criticized the Malaysian government for summoning three journalists from the independent news outlet Malaysiakini for questioning over a news article that cited anonymous sources. The journalists were interrogated for over an hour, and the police investigations centered on uncovering the identities of the sources.
Europe: Journalist prevented from covering political event in France
The IFJ has condemned the French police for preventing a journalist from covering a political event in Annecy, southeast of France. The journalist was forcibly removed from the event and was not allowed to interview any officials.
Latin America and the Caribbean: Argentina’s government reform undermines transparency in public management
The IFJ has criticized Argentina’s government for incorporating restrictive exceptions to the regulation of the Law on Access to Public Information. The reform limits the definition of "public information" and establishes a discretionary criterion to consider what is "secret" information, thereby undermining transparency in public management.
IFJ Statement: "Year after year, we are witnessing governments and security forces around the world hindering journalists’ work and infringing the public’s right of access to information. This is outrageous. We, journalists, say: ‘no to secrets’. We have the right to carry our duty to inform the public without fear of being threatened, intimidated or attacked. We demand governments around the world to make public information public and to stop interfering in the work of journalists".
IFJ President’s Statement: "On the occasion of International Day for Universal Access to Information, I would like to take the example of Julian Assange, who was released last June. Assange is free, but the Assange affair is not closed and concerns everyone. On 1 October, this journalist, a member of an IFJ affiliate, will attend a parliamentary hearing of the European Council in Strasbourg (France) organised by the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights following its report on his detention and conviction and its deterrent effects on journalists and the right to be informed. In particular, the committee is calling on the United States – the Council’s observer – to amend the 1917 Espionage Act to exclude publishers, journalists and whistleblowers. A plenary debate and vote on the report and recommendations is scheduled for 2 October. Universal access to information, which we are celebrating today, is at stake".
