Background
 The principles of transparency, independent media and unencumbered civil society are all extra parliamentary tools to help curb corruption. In addition, they are all intrinsically related - a weakness in one will result in weakness in the others.
Access to Information
According to Transparency International, over 60 countries have passed legislation that recognises and protects the citizen's right to access information held by public bodies. While GOPAC, of course, supports the importance of citizens’ right to convenient access to government information, it also emphasizes the need for parliamentarians to receive credible reports and receive answers to written and oral questions, as well as having access to basic research and citizen survey services. Parliamentarians with such complementary access and capacity, together with civil society organizations and independent media can together provide considerable transparency and serve as powerful disincentive to corruption.
Access to information law does not assure access. As noted in Hon. Madzimure’s (MP, Zimbabwe) presentation to the Parliamentarians Forum at the UNCAC Conference of States Parties, some information can be declared secret, making it impossible to pursue investigations effectively. In addition, important impediments can be found in the procedures adopted to access to information. Parliamentarians, working with civil society and the media can exert pressure to improve legislative provisions, practical access and ensure ultimately public understanding.
Civil Society
As stakeholders in good governance the organizations that comprise ‘civil society’(citizen groups, nongovernmental organizations, trade unions, business associations, think tanks, academia, religious organizations and media) have an important and well accepted role to play in constraining corruption – where they are allowed to play it. Through raising awareness and public education, developing coalitions for pressuring governments, both  domestically and internationally, they are a natural ally of parliamentarians that share the objective on combating corruption.
Media
The important role of an independent media is equally well recognized as an essential component in fighting corruption. For the majority of citizens in many countries, it is the media that inform and educate the public about public policy, programs and services – and their performance. In many cases, however, independence is not enough. Newspapers, radio and television all are reasonably expensive, particularly where access to information is closely controlled by government. While new information and communications technology is, of course, changing dramatically how information is communicated, the importance of the media is unlikely to diminish substantially.
Global Task Force
The GOPAC Global Task Force will, once formed, will seek to track developments and experiences, encourage ever closer cooperation among the parliamentarians and other sectors essential to public transparency in governance, and deliver on the recommendations of the Arusha Resolution, namely,
- urge parliamentarians to pass Access to Information legislation
- gather information experiences from GOPAC Chapters; and advise the GOPAC Board and Executive and its chapters on needed actions.
Links
Model Freedom of Information Law
http://www.article19.org/publications/law/standard-setting.html
Parliamentarians and Engaging the Public, Paper by Willias Madzimure (MP, Zimbabwe)
Principles on Freedom of Information Legislation
http://www.article19.org/publications/law/standard-setting.html
Transparency International – Access to Information Page http://transparency.org/global_priorities/access_information
Transparency International
www.transparency.org
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