Today, as the world observes both World News Day and the International Day for Universal Access to Information, it serves as a crucial reminder: the erosion of our fundamental right to information and the suppression of independent journalism threaten the very foundations of our rights and democracies.
Access to information is not merely a privilege, but a fundamental human right. It empowers individuals to make informed decisions, actively participate in democratic processes, and hold leaders accountable. Beyond democratic engagement, timely and accurate information can be a matter of life and death. During natural disasters, critical updates on evacuation routes and shelter locations save lives. In public health crises, like the Covid-19 pandemic, reliable facts about symptoms, prevention, and treatment are indispensable. Similarly, in conflict zones, knowing safe areas and how to access humanitarian aid is vital for survival.
Significant global progress has been made in enshrining this right. Just three decades ago, fewer than 20 countries had legal frameworks for access to information (ATI). Today, 139 nations possess such laws, meaning approximately 90 per cent of the world’s population lives in a country where this right is legally recognised. UNESCO data highlights a surging demand for transparency, with public information requests jumping from 3.5 million in 2022 to 6.7 million in 2024, partly facilitated by digital solutions.
However, substantial gaps persist. In Africa, for instance, a 2024 report by the Africa Freedom of Information Centre revealed that while 29 of the 55 countries have ATI laws, their implementation often remains inconsistent. Organisations like UNESCO have stepped in, helping establish networks such as the African Network of Information Commissioners (ANIC) to foster collaboration and improve the enforcement and profile of ATI laws across the continent.
Public information is a vital resource for journalists, just as journalists are essential conduits enabling citizens to access that information. Journalism has always served as a critical bridge between governments and the public. When officials remain silent, journalists investigate, verify facts, and reveal what is truly happening. This isn’t merely a profession; it is a fundamental public service. Behind every impactful news story is a journalist asking tough questions, often utilising access to information laws to conduct research and break stories that instigate meaningful change.
Yet, this crucial democratic safeguard is increasingly under threat. Journalists face a growing wave of violence, censorship, and online harassment. A 2024 UNESCO survey found that 70 per cent of journalists globally reported experiencing attacks, from online abuse to legal threats and physical violence, particularly when covering environmental issues. Independent newsrooms are struggling financially, while a flood of disinformation clogs our digital feeds, often spreading faster than facts. This “fog of lies” thickens, causing a dangerous decline in trust in truth.
This erosion of trust has profound implications, notably in critical areas like climate change. Both the International Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights have recognised access to environmental information as essential for addressing this global crisis, underscoring that we cannot protect what we cannot see or understand.
So, what steps can be taken? We must urge our governments to champion quality journalism by supporting independent media and rigorously enforcing access to information laws. Simultaneously, individuals must actively challenge disinformation, demanding greater accountability from politicians, social media platforms, and AI companies.
Access to information is not a threat to our societies; it is an immense opportunity. Today, and every day, we must collectively defend our right to know.
*David Walmsley is President of the World Editors Forum. Dr Tawfik Jelassi is UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information. This article is part of a series of special articles published in collaboration with the World Editors’ Forum in connection with World News Day, originally appearing in Dawn on September 28th, 2025.*
