Workshop validates national right to information policy
THE National Economic and Fiscal Commission (NEFC) yesterday (June 11 joined government agencies, development partners, and civil society organisations in the validation of Papua New Guinea’s National Right to Information (RTI) Policy at a workshop held at Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby.The workshop was hosted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in partnership with Transparency International PNG (TIPNG), with funding support from the European Union. The validation workshop marks a significant milestone in the development of the RTI Policy, which has undergone extensive consultations across the country prior to reaching the validation stage.According to DICT, the workshop aims to validate the policy framework before its implementation, ensuring that stakeholder views and recommendations are incorporated into the final document.Representing NEFC at the workshop were Ms. Rogana Ranu from the Information Technology Unit, Mr. Elizah Longkale from the Media and Communications Unit, and Ms. Danielle Tenakanai from the Policy Division.The Right to Information (RTI), also known as Freedom of Information, refers to the legally recognised right of individuals and organisations to request and obtain information from public bodies and, in certain circumstances, from private entities performing public functions, subject to limited exceptions.RTI is internationally recognised as a fundamental human right under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as an integral component of the right to freedom of expression.The policy is expected to strengthen transparency, accountability, and good governance across public institutions. Through the RTI mechanism, citizens will have greater opportunities to scrutinise government operations and decision-making processes, thereby enhancing public sector accountability, reducing corruption, and increasing public trust in government institutions.Participants were presented with the background, purpose, and significance of the Right to Information Policy, as well as updates on stakeholder consultations undertaken throughout the policy development process. Additional presentations highlighted the role of civil society organizations, the Open Government Partnership, and development partners in supporting the formulation of the policy.The workshop also reviewed the 2025 RTI Policy Regional Consultation Report and provided an overview of the updated final draft policy, including stakeholder submissions and recommendations received during consultations.Discussions concluded with participants examining the policy’s content, implications, and implementation considerations, reinforcing the collective commitment to advancing transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in Papua New Guinea’s governance systems.
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