Nassau, Bahamas - (Statement) Following the Prime Minister’s recent comments to journalism students at the College of the Bahamas on the readiness of the government to deal with a new Freedom of Information Bill, the Bahamas Press Club thought it necessary to reiterate our position on the matter.

As before, we commend the government on its efforts, but we hope that the Prime Minister’s assertion that, “The minister of education has just told me he is ready to bring the Act”, means that the country will not wait another 12 months for its introduction and implementation.

The Press Club maintains that focusing on the introduction and implementation of a Freedom of Information Act should be a priority for the government, because, from widespread public sentiment, it would signal and confirm the government’s commitment to the public’s right to know and a deepening of our democracy.

We urge the government to move post haste with its efforts in this regard.