Issue
Jamaica’s Access to Information Act (2002) is a significant step toward transparency and accountability, granting the public a legal right to request information from public authorities. However, low public awareness and legislative gaps have hindered its implementation.
How we are helping
This project aims to equip citizens with knowledge and tools to exercise their right to information and to advocate for a parliamentary review of the Access to Information Act to strengthen right to information laws in Jamaica.
About the project
The Access to Information Act, 2002, marked a major win for governance in Jamaica. The Act grants the public a general right to access information held by public authorities, but its implementation has been hindered by a lack of awareness of the Act itself and of the procedures for requesting information. Research by project partners, Jamaicans for Justice, reveals that requests are often delayed, ignored, or denied, highlighting an urgent need to review the Act (in line with a legal requirement to do so every two years), and to ensure its alignment with ongoing legislative reviews as well as proposed new laws.
This project will empower citizens to effectively utilise the Access to Information (ATI) Act while advocating for legislative reforms to strengthen its impact. Through public education campaigns, compliance monitoring, and policy engagement, it aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.
This will be achieved by:
- Conducting a nationwide public education campaign on the right to access information, utilising multiple media channels and community interventions.
- Establishing a helpline and website to assist citizens with Access to Information (ATI) requests and follow-ups.
- Monitoring compliance with the Act by tracking and analysing ATI requests.
- Developing position papers to propose specific reforms to the Act.
- Organising policy dialogues with decision-makers to advocate for legislative amendments.
As a result of the project, it is hoped that public awareness of the Access to Information Act will improve and citizens will be equipped to exercise their rights effectively. By identifying systemic barriers through compliance monitoring, the project will provide evidence to support advocacy for legislative reforms. Position papers and policy dialogues will influence amendments to the Act, ensuring its alignment with modern governance needs and related laws. These efforts will strengthen transparency, foster accountability, and promote meaningful public participation in governance.
Project Partners
Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-violent human rights organisation that provides redress and legal services to victims of human rights violations while advocating for improvements in state transparency, accountability and overall good governance.
We support people's participation in democracy and development by providing grants, platforms, and expertise.
