The International Right to Know Day was proposed on 28th September 2002 at a meeting of Freedom of information organisations from around the world in Sofia, Bulgaria. Since then, on the same day of every year, the Right to Know Day celebrates worldwide the right of individuals to access information held by public instruments and reminds of the need and the benefits of a transparent government. For instance, citizens have the right to know how elected officials are governing and what the tax-payer’s money is spent on.
The goal of Right to Know Day is to raise global awareness of individuals’ right to access government information and to promote access to information as a fundamental right. Right to Know Day has grown since 2002 and is celebrated around the world in over 40 nations. Over 80 countries have access to information legislation and more countries are in the process of developing such laws.
