• 21 May 2015

    Bahamian Government Offers Revised FOIA Legislation

    The government of the Bahamas on May 19 proposed freedom of information legislation (text). Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald, the minister responsible for the legislation, was quoted as saying that the draft bill would dramatically improve upon the act that the former Ingraham Administration passed shortly before the May 2012 general election, that was never […]

  • 7 May 2015

    Bahamas FOI Bill Rated Average in New Scoring

    The Bahamian Freedom of Information bill scores 88 points, which would put it in a tie for 48th place in the world, if it ever becomes law, according to an evaluation by the Global Right to Information Rating. Antigua has the top-rated law in the Caribbean region, 11th in the world, and the newly ranked Cayman […]

  • 26 February 2015

    Jamaican Activist Urges Donor Push on Transparency

    Foreign aid should be more directly tied to governments’ efforts to improve their transparency and donors should place more emphasis on greater grassroots involvement, according to Aylair Livingstone, a Jamaican transparency activist who presented an overview of access in the Caribbean at a World Bank webinar. Livingston summarized the freedom of information situation in the […]

  • 22 September 2014

    No FOI Legislation Until 2016, Bahamas Minister Says

    A freedom of information act for the Bahamas won’t be ready before spring of 2016, Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald said recently, disappointing FOI supporters. The was termed a “damn shame” by Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) Chairman Robert Myers, saying he was “very disappointed,” according to one news article. Fitzgerald said […]

  • 20 June 2014

    Bahamian Official Says Plans Under Way for FOI Legislation

    Following a major rally for passage of a freedom of information law, a key minister in the Bahamian government has indicated that a plan to pass a law will be issued. However, the minister said, more that 100 amendments would be necessary to fix a version that came close to becoming law several years ago. […]

  • 6 June 2014

    Push for Bahamian FOI Law to Kick Off With March

    A broad coalition of groups is planning a march on June 11 to dramatize a campaign for a freedom of information law. The march is being supported by some political parties, churches, trade unions, business associations, concerned citizens’ groups, including Bahamas Against Crime and the Bahamas Humane Society. The Trade Union Congress has called on […]

  • 25 March 2013

    Caribbean FOI Network Formed at Jamaica Meeting

    A Caribbean network on freedom of information was created at a conference held recently in Kingston, Jamaica. Governments, civil society, and media announced plans to launch the Caribbean network  “to support processes to improve standards for access to information in the region,” according to a statement. Representatives from 11 Caribbean countries attended a two-day “Regional Conference on Freedom of […]

  • 2 March 2012

    Bahamian Senate Approves Revised FOI Legislation

    The Bahamian Senate on Feb. 23 approved a freedom of information bill, setting the stage for action in the House of Assembly. The bill was a newly modified version. (See previous FreedomInfo.org reports.) A copy of the latest bill is here. Attorney General John Delaney led debate, according to an account by Taneka Thompson in the […]

  • 17 February 2012

    AG Offers Amendments for Bahamas FOI Legislation

    The Bahamas House of Assembly on Feb. 20 is scheduled to begin debating a freedom of information bill, changes for which were recently proposed by Attorney-General John Delaney. A copy of the latest bill is here. The latest amendments would restrict use of the law to Bahamian citizens and permanent residents and provide for the […]

  • 3 February 2012

    Bahamas Set to Debate Freedom of Information Bill

    By Larry Smith Smith is an  independent columnist whose work appears in The Tribune. Reprinted by permission. Last October the government tabled an historic Freedom of Information Bill in Parliament – fulfilling a key election pledge. This law is expected to be debated in the next few days. Some have called the proposed legislation weak, arguing that […]

  • 14 October 2011

    Government FOI Proposal in Bahamas Prompts Criticisms

    A recent freedom of information proposal by the government of the Bahamas is generating criticism as too weak. Member of Parliament Fred Mitchell told The Tribune that the bill introduced Oct. 5 gives the government too much power over requests for information and limits judicial review. “The Commissioner for Information can’t overrule the Minister’s certificate […]

  • 16 September 2011

    Bahamas Minister Promises to Bring Up FOI Bill

    Bahamian Health Minister Hubert Minnishas said the government will bring a freedom of information bill to Parliament before it ends its term in office, according to a Sept. 15  report by Cara Brennen-Bethel in The Tribune. Minnis said in a radio interview that he is “a full complete proponent of the Freedom of Information Act.” […]