Establishing The Right to Information as a Basic Human Right

Abstract

The free and open information is essential for a democratic society to thrive and maintain a constant debate and discussion among its citizens. We have a right to know what officials, wielding state powers, do with their entrusted authority and how state funds are spent. Without such information, there will be no transparency, accountability, or opportunities for citizens to participate in the democratic process. This paper attempts to explore how the right to information can be defined as a basic human right-basing such perspective on the more particular and internationally recognized human right to freedom of speech.