UNESCO commemorated in Chile the International Day for Universal Access to Information

As part of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, UNESCO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean held a seminar titled "Public Information as a Common Good: Challenges, Opportunities, and Gaps in Chile and the World." This event, co-organised with the University of Santiago de Chile (USACH) and Wikimedia Chile, brought together experts and participants on October 3rd at the university to reflect on access to information as a fundamental right and an essential tool for transparency, citizen participation, and sustainable development.

Since 2015, UNESCO has promoted this day, underscoring the need to ensure that citizens have access to clear, truthful, and relevant information. In a world undergoing digital transformation, access to quality public information is vital for informed decision-making and empowering citizens. However, significant challenges remain, limiting equitable access in both technological and legal domains.

The seminar aimed to analyse these challenges and explore opportunities to strengthen access to information in Chile and other parts of the world. During the event, Sergio Pinto, a UNESCO advisor, highlighted in his opening remarks UNESCO's efforts to combat misinformation and promote transparency and accountability, especially in contexts of crisis and inequality.

"The International Day for Universal Access to Information, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, is an opportunity to remind us that access to information is a fundamental human right, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Despite progress, there is still a significant gap in the realisation of this right, particularly for women and vulnerable populations," Pinto remarked.

UNESCO continues to work towards empowering people through media and information literacy, which is essential for citizens to understand and use information effectively. It is also crucial to promote the inclusion of the right to access information in public policies, urging decision-makers to develop and implement laws and processes that guarantee this right.

The panel discussion featured prominent experts, including Javier García, president of the Communication Rights Observatory; David Jofré, an academic from the USACH School of Journalism; and Patricia Díaz-Rubio, Executive Director of Wikimedia Chile, with moderation by Ximena Orchard, a professor at USACH.

The seminar addressed current issues such as the digital divide, lack of connectivity, and the challenges in promoting digital and media literacy skills among Latin American citizens. Cases of censorship and intimidation affecting journalists and media outlets were also discussed, highlighting the existence of "silent zones" in countries such as Mexico, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

"We were able to delve into aspects such as the role of citizens in exercising the right to information, and how journalism can contribute to more active engagement with communities, expanding conversations around public interest information," said Javier García.

From Wikimedia Chile, the importance of Wikimedia platforms was emphasised as freely accessible tools that guarantee universal access to relevant information online, while also encouraging citizen participation in its creation and dissemination.

"One of the pillars within Wikimedia is the neutrality of information. We strive for our content to reflect as many perspectives as possible, thus enriching knowledge and strengthening the democratic spirit of our movement," stated Patricia Díaz-Rubio.

The event also attracted journalism students from the University of Santiago, who had the opportunity to learn about the topic and ask questions regarding the handling of public information and current challenges in its dissemination.

"This isn't a problem with an easy solution, but events like this will continue to take place in the future because access to information is not an issue that can be fully resolved, and it intersects with other dilemmas like democracy, communication, and transparency," concluded David Jofré.

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