FORWARD FORWARD As the media project of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Sub-Saharan Africa, fesmedia Africa is working towards a political, legal and regulatory framework for the media, which follows regional and international standards. We support efforts to improve the state of access to information on the African continent as free access to information is not only elementary to the right of freedom of expression but also fundamental to the exercise and realization of numerous social and economic human rights. For people to be knowledgeable about the way their countries are run, about their own rights and to enable them to participate in shaping policies and politics, they require publicly held information. Article IV of the 2002 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights states “Public bodies hold information not for themselves but as custodians of the public good and everyone has a right to access this information, subject only to clearly defined rules established by law.” And yet government efforts to make information available to citizens often culminate in employing an information officer or setting up a website. But how effective are these initiatives in facilitating access to publicly held information? How up-do date is the information on websites of public institutions for instance? Will citizens get a response when they ask for information? How long until they receive a response? The padlock report assesses the level of transparency and efficiency of government and public institutions, highlights weaknesses and strengths and can help public institutions to address these. By providing citizens with access to publicly held information they are empowered to effectively participate in and contribute to the political, social and economic affairs of their countries and it directly benefits socioeconomic development and the efficiency of the government. It is therefore in everyone’s interest to make institutions as transparent as possible. Sophie Haikali fesmedia Africa Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung 4