Int’l Day for Universal Access to Information today

The International Day for Universal Access to Information is being observed on Wednesday (September 28) with an aim to highlight the public’s need for accurate and reliable information.

Universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information. Access to information is more and more recognized as a prerequisite for sustainable development and for claiming human rights.

This year, the theme of the day is ‘People’s right to information should be ensured in the era of information technology’.

Artificial Intelligence and e-governance can play an important role to improve access to information in our digital world. 

They can help bridge the digital divide, by giving citizens access to tailor-made and accessible information. They can assure services that are more efficient. Citizens can access public sector information and services nearly instantly. 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), on November 17, 2015 announced that the day will be observed on September 28. Following this, multiple organizations and governmental bodies gave rise to the domino effect and adhered to the declaration by UNESCO

Furthermore, the day ensures that access to information is continuous at times of crisis so that a collectively informed decision can be made to find ways out of it.