The right to information, also known as freedom of information, is a fundamental human right that allows individuals to access information held by public authorities, empowering citizens to hold governments accountable and participate meaningfully in democratic processes.

It grants individuals the ability to request and receive information held by government agencies, such as:

• Public records (laws, regulations, policies)
• Data and statistics
• Meeting minutes and government documents

Increased public access to information promotes transparency in government decision-making and allows citizens to make informed decisions about their communities and hold government officials accountable for their actions. This open access to information helps expose corruption and wrongdoing within government agencies.

The Right to Information and Whistleblowing:

The right to information can be a powerful tool for whistleblowers – whistleblowers who witness wrongdoing within a government agency can use freedom of information requests to gather evidence and support their claims. When whistleblowers use the right to information to expose wrongdoing, it leads to greater transparency and accountability within government agencies.