The Bahamas Press Club 2014 is thankful to the government that after a lengthy delay the Freedom of Information bill is likely to see the light of day and could be brought into force, notwithstanding that a similar bill was passed in 2012 but never enacted.

The release of this draft bill proves our long held contention that there is no reason an act could not be produced and passed before 2016 because all that is needed is the focused attention of a committed government.

On the face of it the new draft bill will seem to deepen the democracy in affording the people to freely access information from various government agencies. On the backside, however, it will appear that so much information will be exempt and not available for the public, the status quo will remain and freedom of information for the Bahamian people will still not exist.

We are hopeful that the appointment of an Information Commissioner with the attendant resources to make the position effective, minus the usual political baggage will be the order of the day.

The Press Club is also delighted to see the unlimited power of the minister corrected as that single provision made a mockery of the entire process.

While the Bill will need strengthening in other areas, we look forward to the promised public town meetings and the full participation of the public, who have been calling for a Freedom of Information Act.