This afternoon is the deadline for public input to the PATI “public access to information” bill. I encourage you to make a submission, no matter how brief. The PATI bill may be found here: Bermuda PATI Draft law [pdf] Bermuda PATI Consultation Handbook [pdf] Submissions should be directed to The Cabinet Secretary at pati@gov.bm. The [...]
Entries Tagged as 'FOIA'
International Input on PATI
October 27th, 2009 · 2 Comments · Accountability, Bermuda Politics, Transparency
Article 19 has published a commentary on the proposed Bermuda freedom of information bill (aka public access to information or PATI). Article 19 is a highly-respected international human rights organisation with a specific focus on the defence and promotion of freedom of expression and freedom of information worldwide. While praising Bermuda for tackling PATI, they [...]
PATI Whistleblow
October 26th, 2009 · No Comments · Accountability, Bermuda Politics, Transparency
As widely reported, the Bermuda draft freedom of information law (aka PATI) allows great scope for Government to sit on information. For example, the law proposes a lengthy (2-3 year) implementation period and will only apply to information collected after its effective date. There is a long list of specific exemptions, as well as vague [...]
Public Access to Information
October 15th, 2009 · Comments Off · Accountability, Transparency
Six years after it was first announced by then-Premier Alex Scott, the Bermuda Government has published its draft freedom of information access (FOIA) law for public consultation. A successful public access to information law (PATI) would represent a significant step ahead in Bermuda’s development, so I encourage all Bermudians to read through it and to [...]
Tags:FOIA·freedom of information access·PATI·public access to information
Peek a PATI
July 9th, 2009 · Comments Off · Accountability, Transparency
The Premier announced yesterday that PATI legislation will be one of the first topics on the parliamentary schedule in November. That’s nice. Bermuda has been waiting for the promised freedom of information bill for a long time. The whole process behind Government’s efforts have been pretty stretched out and secretive – which goes against the [...]
PATI still alive
June 26th, 2009 · No Comments · Transparency
I am glad to see something is still happening on Bermuda’s freedom of information effort. After so many years of lipservice, it’s time to get this on the legislative agenda. GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (GIS) — Bermudian government officials reviewed Cayman’s experiences with Freedom of Information (FOI) during an official visit last week. The country’s [...]
Tags:cayman·Cayman Islands·FOIA·PATI
PATI at Work
May 11th, 2009 · No Comments · Accountability
There’s a massive scandal in the UK where MPs have been found to “work the system” for extra payouts from the Government. It is deeply embarrassing to both parties, and will inevitably lead to reform in this area. It may interest you to know that the alleged sleaze was uncovered using requests under the UK [...]
Secret Society
March 21st, 2009 · Comments Off · Accountability, Bermuda Politics, Transparency
You have to question if Government are really serious about Public Access to Information (PATI). Last week, the Premier announced that Cabinet would post the details on some of the major contracts it grants. Which led to the obvious question: “how will those contracts be tendered?” Which led to the Premier’s press secretary Glenn Jones [...]
Baby Steps
March 18th, 2009 · Comments Off · Accountability, Bermuda Politics, Media, Transparency
The Premier announced that all contracts awarded by Cabinet will appear in the Official Gazette beginning April Fools Day. Contract details like the name of the contractor, the services to be provided, the amount of the contract, whether it was tendered or sole sourced, and the Ministry providing the funding will also be listed. Dr. [...]
Tags:Contracting·FOIA·PATI
PATI Progress!
March 17th, 2009 · Comments Off · Transparency
It’s Sunshine Week, a international initiative in which journalism organizations promote open government and freedom of information. (Government’s decree to cut advertising in its publications occurred around the time of the Royal Gazette’s dogged cheerleading of Sunshine Week last year). On cue, Attorney General Kim Wilson has promised that the Bermudian public will be asked [...]