Celebrating the community’s right to know
The Deputy Information Commissioner underscored the importance of keeping informed yesterday.
LaKai Dill and other representatives from the Information Commissioner’s Office offered guidance and free merchandise outside City Hall in Hamilton to commemorate International Right to Know Day, observed every September 28.
Established in 2015, the ICO oversees use of the 2010 Public Access to Information Act, which grants access to information held by more than 200 public authorities on the island.
Ms Dill explained: “It’s really important for people to be engaged and informed about what government decisions are being made, how they are being made and how the Government is spending money.
“We have a law that assists people to be better informed and not simply rely on information that public authorities put out in the public domain themselves ‒ you have a right to ask specifically what you want to know about.”
The number of bodies under ICO’s remit varies every year, as charities that receive significant government funds are also considered public authorities.
Consider which public authority has the records you are looking for and submit a written request to that body.
A “record” is information recorded in any format, including paper, film or electronic files.
Requests should be specific and describe how you wish to receive the information (electronic copies are free).
All released Pati records can be used and shared as public information and decisions can be reviewed by the head of the authority, independently by the Information Commissioner or through a judicial review.
Ms Dill urged people to be specific when submitting Pati requests and to call the relevant authority or the ICO for guidance.
She added: “The ICO handles the appeals if people don’t get access to what they’ve asked the public authorities for.
“If you send us your request, we can get it into the right hands.
“Some people come to us thinking we are the first step in the process, but we are actually the last.”
• Visitico.bm to learn more about the ICO and Pati.
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