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 whole concept of a transparency law! Barbados has recently published a draft law for public consultation. If enacted, Barbados will be joining [...]
Entries Tagged as 'FOIA'
Bermuda Lags in Transparency Laws
November 20th, 2008 · Comments Off · Accountability, Transparency
Unfortunately, Bermuda lags behind many Commonwealth Member States, such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and most recently The Cayman Islands (currently in the process of implementation), which have already enacted effective legislation to provide a legal framework for the realisation of this and other fundamental rights. Barbados is to adopt a vibrant PATI regime and [...]
PATI – Still Waiting
November 5th, 2008 · Comments Off · Accountability, Transparency
Bermuda’s been waiting for the promised Public Access to Information law for many years now. Meanwhile, the list of countries moving ahead with such transparency laws grows and grows. Barbados has now tabled a draft Freedom of Information law [pdf] that is going through consultation in public town meetings. The humour in the situation is [...]
Bipartisan Committee for Public Access Laws
September 17th, 2008 · Comments Off · Transparency
Bermuda’s Parliament is scarred by partisanship where MPs may oppose a piece of legislation, but support it nevertheless in adherence to the party whip.This “go with the crowd” mentality is encouraged by the tradition of “voice counts” which never identify who voted how. Bermuda should record the votes of our MPs individually. Also, Bermuda does [...]
Cayman welcomes Commonwealth PATI Experts
July 11th, 2008 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics, Transparency
The Cayman Islands recently passed a public access to information law, which will come into full effect in January. The law was based on a wide ranging public consultation (including experts from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative or CHRI). With a rapid deployment schedule, the Cayman government has been active in training the civil service [...]
We Support PATI (but don’t ask, it’s a state secret)
April 24th, 2008 · Comments Off · Media, Transparency
While Bermuda continues to fart around, Cayman Islands have moved to the next stage of implementing “freedom of information” (FOI). You may recall that – after Bermuda announced that it would pursue PATI – Cayman picked up the cause, drafted legislation and sought input from international experts such as the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, then [...]
And Don’t Forget …
March 20th, 2008 · Comments Off · Transparency
The Cayman Island’s legislature approved a public access to information law last year, following a detailed public consultation on the draft law. Premier Ewart Brown promised earlier this week that PATI would happen in Bermuda but said putting it in place was a “laborious” task. [Cayman Islands Government Leader] Mr. Tibbetts said his country [...]
Senator Grouchy
March 18th, 2008 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics, Media, Transparency
Senator Burch says that he supports transparency, but not the Royal Gazette’s sunshine week or campaign. “I don’t need no legislation to make me truthful and I don’t think this Government needs legislation. I am offended by a campaign that is considered in our right to know.” With all due respect, Senator, stop being such [...]
Come on Sunshine
March 17th, 2008 · Comments Off · Transparency
This is Sunshine Week and many countries around the world are focussing attention on Freedom of Information. Here in Bermuda, we’ve had promises for enhanced “public access to information” for years, but progress has been slow. There is money in this year’s budget and Government has hinted that drafting instructions will soon be put before [...]
Uncommitted
March 15th, 2008 · Comments Off · Transparency
The problem is, that while the PLP feels that it must talk up “freedom of information,” it doesn’t really want it. Thus any efforts made towards the “public access to information” enjoyed by most countries will be slow and compromised. Here are the abrupt comments of David Burch, who is normally one of the PLP’s [...]