More Jamaicans urged to access government information

Author: Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

Title: Access to information needs to be more public

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Date Published: Friday, October 2, 2009

URL: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091002/news/news3.html


Abstract:

Article highlights the situation following the implementation of the Access to Information Act in Jamaica, in 2002. The views of Damian Cox, director of the Access to Information Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister are revealed. He suggests that there is need for more publicity on the Act among the ordinary Jamaicans, and highlights that currently, mostly professionals and academics are making use of the provisions and the rights afforded by the act.

The article also discusses the high school essay competition to promote the knowledge and importance of the Act among students.


Excerpt:

Damian Cox, director of the Access to Information Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister, says more people need to take advantage of the Access to Information Act.

"I think we need more Jamaicans to use the law, I don't think even in this time when we are going into a review of the act everybody feels like we need to get more persons, ordinary Jamaicans using the law because the system
is in place," he told The Gleaner at the launch of the Access to Information National High School Essay
Competition, yesterday.

Grenada's PM restates commitment to Information Act

Title: Restating commitment to Information act
Source: Grenada Today / SpiceGrenada.com
Date Published: May 23rd, 2009
URL: http://www.spicegrenada.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1053:restating-commitment-to-information-act-&catid=230:week-ending-may-23rd-2009&Itemid=53

Abstract:
Article reports on excerpts from the Prime Minister of Grenada's speech to a Caribbean Media and Communication Conference held in the community. Much of the speech is directed at the media, with the Prime Minister expressing his personal perception of the role of the media and the abuse of that role in Grenada's society. In this article also is expressed the Prime Minister's commitment to Grenada's Information Act or freedom of information legislation.

Excerpt:

The 10-month old government of Prime Minister Tillman Thomas campaign promise to implement a Freedom of Information Act is well underway. During the opening of a two-day Caribbean Media and Communication Conference held at the Flamboyant Hotel last week Thursday and Friday, the Prime Minister disclosed that his government has already circulated a draft Freedom of Information Act for inputs and feedback.

He told the gathering of over 30 regional journalists/broadcasters together with local media practitioners that the choice of Grenada to hold this Conference is timely as his administration is currently engaging stakeholders on a proposed freedom of information act and is about to commence engagement on a new media policy.