International Day for Universal Access to Information marks global push for transparency

September 28 marks the International Day for Universal Access to Information, a date recognized by UNESCO and the United Nations to promote the fundamental right to seek, receive, and impart information. The 2026 theme, ‘Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The role of access to Information in addressing Information Disorder,’ focuses on the challenges of misinformation and disinformation in a digital landscape.

Global efforts to strengthen this right include a ‘stress test’ conducted by UNESCO and the Centre for Law and Democracy, which submitted identical information requests to authorities in 120 countries to measure practical implementation. In Africa, the Federation of African Journalists and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights have called for increased transparency and the adoption of guidelines to monitor how digital platforms and AI impact information integrity.

Regional developments include legislative proposals in the Democratic Republic of Congo to enhance public transparency and initiatives in Mexico, such as the Transparency Week in Puebla and improved competitiveness rankings in Tlaxcala. In Seychelles, the Information Commission continues to uphold the Access to Information Act of 2018 to strengthen the relationship between public institutions and the citizenry.