NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) has launched its new Resource Hub for the Freedom of Information Act and a new advocacy tool, designed to help Bahamian citizens engage more easily with their representatives to advocate for full enactment ahead of the upcoming national budget debate.
Access to information is a key pillar of transparency, good governance, and public trust. Although the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was passed in 2017, full implementation remains a work in progress. ORG’s new online resources and writing tool aims to support citizens by making the process of advocacy more accessible.
“We believe access to information is fundamental to an open and thriving society,” said Matt Aubry, Executive Director of ORG. “Right now, The Bahamas is at a moment of real opportunity. With the government finalizing the national budget and preparing for debate in the coming weeks, this tool gives Bahamians a direct and timely way to communicate with their Members of Parliament about what they want to see prioritized for FOIA in the year ahead.”
The FOIA Resource Hub, available at https://www.orgbahamas.com/foia-hub, serves as a central point for education, resources, and updates on FOIA in The Bahamas. It includes easy-to-understand guides, background information, and practical tips for individuals and organizations interested in promoting transparency.
The accompanying writing tool provides users with a simple, step-by-step process to draft a letter to their Member of Parliament, encouraging support for the full funding, enactment and strengthening of FOIA. In a few easy steps, users can generate a professional, personalized letter highlighting why access to information matters to them and their communities.
While FOIA’s passage in 2017 marked an important step forward, full implementation has yet to be realized for Bahamians. In 2022, The Office of the Information Commissioner outlined a clear and thoughtful plan to bring the Act into power—including training public officers, rolling out technology to manage requests, and launching a nationwide public education campaign. However, over the past two years only a fraction of the required funding has been allocated—$140,000 per year, compared to the estimated $1 million needed. ORG sees the upcoming national budget as a powerful opportunity for citizens to make their voices heard and advocate for government investment in transparency, accountability, and two-way communication between Bahamians and their elected and appointed officials
The FOIA Resource Hub and Writing Tool are about making civic engagement easier and more effective. At the tool’s launch event, Ariannah Wells, ORG Senior Manager of Outreach said: “When FOIA is fully enacted, the benefits are real. Citizens can find out how decisions are made, how resources are spent, and whether services are being delivered fairly. It strengthens trust, helps communities advocate for themselves, and ultimately makes government work better for everyone.”
ORG encourages all citizens who believe in the importance of enacting FOIA to help Bahamians realize their right to access information by visiting the Resource Hub and submitting a respectful, personalized letter to their Member of Parliament. Copying citizens@orgbahamas.com upon submission allows ORG to track participation and strengthen collective civic engagement.
For more information or to start using the tool, visit: www.orgbahamas.com/foia-hub
