Push for more information
Copyright, 1999, Post-Courier Online (PNG)
November 2, 2000
THE Government will soon be asked to take to Parliament legislation to give Papua New Guineans the right to get information from public bodies.
Transparency International (PNG) Incorporated and the Media Council of PNG yesterday staged a joint workshop to seek public comments on the drafting instructions for a proposed Freedom of Information Bill.
The proposed law will seek to effect Section 51 of the National Constit-ution which states that “every citizen has the right of reasonable access to official documents . . . .’’
Over recent months, a working committee made up of lawyers, journalists, representatives from the community and Transparency Interna-tional directors has been studying similar legislation from other countries in order to prepare drafting instructions for such a law for PNG.
Stating the need for a freedom of information legislation, the committee said allowing access to public information in the hands of public bodies and institutions was an integral part of democratic and good governance.
The committee said that it allowed citizens to be informed about the actions of their government, and its agencies and officials, thus enabling them to participate in government.
This, the committee said, would enhance democracy.
“It enables open and transparent government and assists in exposing maladministration, misconduct, corruption and other negative conduct by public institutions and agencies,’’ it stated.
The committee stated: “Twenty- five years after independence, Papua New Guinea still does not have a freedom of information legislation.
“The absence of this important area may have been a contributing factor to some of the problems that the country has faced in recent years, for example, in problems of maladministration, corruption and misconduct by public officials and public institutions.
“It is therefore necessary to take corrective action. The current government has made institutional strengthening as a cornerstone of its rule. Freedom of information legislation must feature prominently in these efforts,’’ it said.
Australian lawyer Peter Bayne and media lawyer Paul Chadwick joined the discussions.