FOI

Freedom of information is the freedom of a person or people to publish and have access to information. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides for the right to "receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers", while access to information encompasses the ability of an individual to seek, receive and impart information effectively. As articulated by UNESCO, it encompasses "scientific, indigenous, and traditional knowledge; freedom of information, building of open knowledge resources, including open Internet and open standards, and open access and availability of data; preservation of digital heritage; respect for cultural and linguistic diversity, such as fostering access to local content in accessible languages; quality education for all, including lifelong and e-learning; diffusion of new media and information literacy and skills, and social inclusion online, including addressing inequalities based on skills, education, gender, age, race, ethnicity, and accessibility by those with disabilities; and the development of connectivity and affordable ICTs, including mobile, the Internet, and broadband infrastructures".