Freedom of Information is a human right, according to the United Nations. In its very first session in 1946, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 59(I), stating:
“Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and ... the touchstone of all the freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated.”
Last year by the United Nations' Human Rights Committee reconfirmed this, saying:
“The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights embraces a right of access to information held by public bodies. Such information includes records held by a public body, regardless of the form in which the information is stored, its source and the date of production. ... the right of access to information includes a right whereby the media has access to information on public affairs and the right of the general public to receive media output.”
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has been extended to St Helena so that means it covers us.
And yet the Constitution of St. Helena is entirely silent on this human right.
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