28 September, the International Day for the Right to Information, reminds us that a democratic society is built on transparent institutions and informed citizens.
This date was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2015 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information, recognising the fundamental importance of access to information for the exercise of human rights, the strengthening of transparency and accountability, and the promotion of citizen participation. In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognised 28 September as an international day at the United Nations level.
Access to public information enables citizens to understand how decisions are made, how public resources are used, and how public authority is exercised, while at the same time fostering greater responsibility and accountability on the part of public institutions.
In observance of this day, this year the Office of the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Protection of Personal Data launched an awareness-raising initiative through the distribution and display of two informational posters at public authorities.
Under the message “You have the right to be informed. We have a duty to respond,” the materials aim to promote greater transparency and open communication by public authorities, while also providing citizens with practical information on how to exercise this right.
By scanning the QR codes included in the materials, citizens can directly download the Model Information Request Form or submit a complaint to the Commissioner.
In addition to their physical display, the materials were also provided to public authorities in electronic format, together with a request to publish them as pop-ups on their official websites. In this way, the information is made accessible not only within institutional premises, but also to citizens who use their online services and platforms.
This initiative conveys the message that every public institution has a vital role to play in building an administration that is more open, accessible, and responsive to citizens. Transparency should not be viewed solely as a legal obligation, but as a way of functioning that strengthens the relationship between institutions and the public.
The right to information is not a privilege, but a fundamental right and a cornerstone of democracy, institutional integrity, and public trust.
