International Day for Universal Access to Information

Universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information. This right is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression. The media plays a crucial role in informing the public about issues of interest, but it relies on the ability to seek and receive information, too. Hence, the right to universal access to information is also bound up with the right to freedom of the press. In order to raise awareness of the importance of universal access to information, the UN General Assembly has proclaimed this as the International Day for Universal Access to Information.