This document provides an overview of a lesson on access to information. The lesson objectives are to understand access to information as a human rights issue, how it supports democratic governance and poverty reduction efforts. It will also discuss UNDP's approach, which focuses on enhancing both the supply of and demand for information, and specific programming areas. The topics within the lesson will cover trends, concepts and issues relating to access to information and how it can strengthen development processes.

1. Course Name: Fostering Inclusive Participation
Lesson Name: Access to Information
Topic Name: Lesson Overview
Page 1:
Welcome to the “Access to Information” lesson. I’ll be your guide.
This lesson will help you understand access to information as a human rights issue
and why it is central to UNDP's poverty reduction mandate and support for
democratic governance.
Page 2:
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should have a better understanding of:
• Trends, concepts and issues relating to access to information
• How access to information supports democratic governance, underpins
initiatives to eradicate poverty and is crucial to achieving the Millennium
Development Goals
• UNDP’s pro-poor approach to supporting access to information
• Specific areas of programming support
• Practical tips for programming and where to find further information
Topic Name: Trends, Concepts and Issues
Page 1:
Topic Objectives
Welcome to the ‘Trends, Concepts and Issues’ topic. This topic discusses what we
mean by access to information and other related terms.
By the end of this topic you should have a better understanding of:
• Recent trends impacting access to information
• Access to information and freedom of expression as international human
rights issues
• The differences between public, private and state broadcasting models and
challenges related to their existence and coexistence
• Communication for empowerment
• The importance of conflict sensitive reporting in areas of violent conflict
Page 2:
Background and Context
Efforts are underway by the UNDP and other actors to establish a good regulatory

2. environment and working structure for public and private communication in
developing countries.
At the same time, a push is developing to make the media more participatory by
empowering the disadvantaged and giving them a greater say in:
• The content and
• The production of media content
However political tensions and insecurity, media privatisation and new technologies
have a significant impact on access to information.
• Insecurity can lead to increased government surveillance, censorship and
‘national security’ restrictions.
• Government media control can threaten the promotion of public service
legislation which aims to safeguard the public interest in programming.
• Increasing privatisation of the media, while often a welcome source of funding
and diversification, has also led to trends whereby content is being shaped by
the demands of advertisers and sponsors rather than public interest factors.
In this context, even if state-funded media are committed to retaining public
interest content, it may find it difficult to retain its audience in the face of
competition by private media outlets focusing on entertainment and
sensationalist news.
• While new communication technologies such as the internet and email open
for a freer exchange of information and cheaper equipment, censorship is a
major threat.
It is often necessary to find a balance between national security demands and
privacy concerns on the one hand and access to information and communication on
the other.
Page 3:
Access to Information is a Human Right: Article 19
Access to information and freedom of expression are international human rights.
Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that:
"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes
freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
Similarly, article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR) reiterates that the right to freedom of expression includes not only freedom
to "impart information and ideas of all kinds", but also freedom to "seek" and
"receive" them "regardless of frontiers" and in whatever medium.
Click the button on screen to read a country list for access to information
laws (2006).
Click the button on screen to view a map

3. of access to information laws (2006).
Page 4:
How is Access to Information Connected to Other Freedoms?
Freedom will be bereft of all effectiveness if the people have no access to
information. Access to information is basic to the democratic way of life. The
tendency to withhold information from the people at large is therefore to be strongly
checked.
– Abid Hussain, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression (1995).
The human right to access information is important for the development of
democratic societies. Crucially it contributes to:
• Creating more open and democratic societies
• Challenging corruption
• Enhancing transparency
• Reducing poverty.
According to UN General Assembly Resolution 59(l) of 1946:
"Freedom of information is a touch-stone of all freedoms to which the UN is
consecrated."
Click the Examples icon on screen to view an example of how a small activist in the
north Indian state of Rajasthan has highlighted ways of combating specific instances
of corruption.
Page 5:
Access to Information
UNDP uses the term access to information to include both:
1. Freedom of expression and
2. The right to information
It also encompasses the understanding that providing information is not enough;
that information must also be accessible to everyone.
Access to information therefore:
• Is not only about promoting and protecting rights to information but is equally
concerned with promoting and protecting communication (the use of
information).
• Implies that people must have the ability to voice their views, participate in
democratic processes at all levels (community, national, regional and global)

4. and set priorities for action.
Page 6:
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of expression refers to the free flow of information and ideas and
emphasises the communication dimension of access to information.
However, the term is used within international conceptions of human rights to
include not just freedom of speech but the protection of any act of seeking, receiving
and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used.
It therefore embraces cultural expression and the arts as much as political speech
and implies not just protection of the media and individuals to freely express
themselves, but their right to official information.
How does your country deal with freedom of expression?
Click the icon on screen to view an enlarged image.
Click the Examples icon on screen to view an example of how freedom of expression
can be hotly contested.
Click the Quick Facts icon on screen to view the ten most censored countries in
2006.
Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about the freedom of expression.
Page 7:
Right to Information
Freedom of expression and the right to information held by public authorities are
related but different concepts, emphasising different aspects of access to
information.
The right to information is not only about the existence of legislation – it also
depends on the content of that legislation, its legal guarantees and the scope of the
legislation.
But the right to information also depends on there being effective measures for
implementing the right. In other words, there must be:
• Efficient and well-organised information management systems
• An open culture within the civil service
• Practices within organisations and society as a whole that make
information readily available.
Click the icon on screen to view an enlarged image.

5. Click the Important to Know icon on screen to view the minimum international
standards legislation must meet.
Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about the Right to Information.
Page 8:
Public Versus Private Information
Public versus private information is a prevailing issue in many countries and is here
examined in the context of three main media control models.
1. Public Service Broadcasting
2. Private or Commercial Broadcasting
3. Direct Supervision of State Authorities
The different models are not mutually exclusive and can coexist.
Click each model to learn about its features.
Click the Important to Know icon on screen to find out what can happen when
public service functions are taken over by private sector organisations.
Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about the broadcasting models.
Page 9:
Communication for Development and Empowerment
How do you think Communication can help Development?
Communication for empowerment and communication for development are concepts
that are used interchangeably and focus on the use of participatory approaches that
aim to empower disadvantaged communities.
Traditional approaches to media development have focused almost exclusively on
the mass media and national communications structures, relying on them for
representation of disadvantaged communities. Similarly, communications
interventions by NGOs and international organisations have preferred to use the
mass media to spread development messages, in what is known as the diffusion
approach.
However, increasingly both media development and development communications
practitioners are considering ways of increasing the visibility and power of the
disadvantaged by using more local and participatory ways of communicating.
A focus on community media could help to promote two-way and bottom-up
communication. The point is to avoid top-down media programming that does not
understand local problems and to make it easier for people to have their voices

6. heard.
Click the Important to Know icon to learn more about the aim of Communication
for Empowerment.
Click the Resources icon on screen to read the Practical Guidance Note on
Communication.
Page 10:
Conflict and Communication
In unstable regions it becomes particularly important to be aware of the kind of
messages that are projected through communications channels such as the media.
Highly politicised and even propagandist messages can inflame tensions and polarise
societies.
Even ordinary media which can be adversarial and focused on dramatic events and
bad news, when seen through a prism of instability, can exacerbate tensions.
In response some are advocating for conflict sensitive reporting by journalists that is
careful to include:
• More context
• More reasoned debate
• More victim perspectives
• Ordinary people
…rather than focusing predominantly on explosions, antagonisms and authority
figures.
International organisations are also actively involved in media projects that seek to
promote peace and dialogue.
In addition, NGOs are developing several innovative communications projects to
promote peace. Building on experiences from other development communications
projects NGOs are developing a range of innovative peace interventions.
Sudden liberalisation of communication channels as part of democratisation
interventions, where not accompanied by adequate regulatory measures, can also
contribute to violent conflict. In Rwanda, rapid and under-regulated liberalisation of
the media gave room for radio stations to play a role in inciting the 1994 genocide.
Balancing liberalisation and regulation must be based on a judgement of the social
and political climate.
Click the Examples icon on screen to view an example of how the U.N. has
used peace radio interventions.
Click the Quick Facts icon on screen to view a range of innovative peace
interventions developed by NGOs.
Click the Resources icon on screen to access additional resources in the area of

7. conflict and access to information.
Page 14:
Topic Summary
You have successfully completed this topic. You should now have a better
understanding of:
• Recent trends impacting access to information
• Access to information and freedom of expression as international human
rights issues
• The differences between public, private and state broadcasting models and
challenges related to their existence and coexistence
• Communication for empowerment
• The importance of conflict sensitive reporting in areas of violent conflict
Topic Name: Access to Information and Development
Page 1:
Topic Objectives
Welcome to the ‘Access to Information and Development’ topic.
By the end of this topic you should have a better understanding of:
• How access to information supports democratic governance, underpins
initiatives to eradicate poverty and is crucial to achieving the Millennium
Development Goals.
• How access to information can strengthen development processes.
Page 2:
Why is Access to Information Important for Development?
Access to information has intrinsic value as an international human right. But it also
has instrumental value because it is crucial to democratic governance and therefore
central to reducing poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
In short, access to information is important for development because it:
• Increases participation and
• Reduces poverty
Click each button to learn more about how access to information deals with each
aspect.

8. Page 3:
Why is Access to Information Important for Development?
Here are some examples.
Click the Bolivian flag for an example of how the people of Cochabamba
campaigned against the fraudulent activities of a water company.
Click the Brazilian flag for an example of how corruption within the Collor
administration ended his presidency.
Page 4:
How can Access to Information Strengthen Development Processes?
There are three prerequisites for access to information to enhance development
processes:
1. An enabling environment
2. Effective implementation of access to information interventions
3. Empowered vulnerable groups
Over the next few pages, we'll examine each prerequisite.
Page 5:
What Makes an Environment "Enabling" for Access to Information?
Good access to information depends on a robust and effective legal and regulatory
environment which protects and promotes the right to information. It also requires a
culture of openness and transparency in government, the private sector and wider
society.
Right to information legislation and policies are necessary to protect and promote
access to information. The right to information can be guaranteed in a number of
ways, as seen in the table.
In the next page, we will see how information became key to the liberation
movement in South Africa.
Page 6:
An Enabling Environment - Example
The scope of right to information legislation may vary. It may cover only public
bodies, it may exclude particular public organisations, or it may include the private
sector, as in the case of South Africa.
Click the South African flag on screen to view the example.

9. Page 7:
Effective Implementation
Rules alone have little impact where there is a lack of political will, capacity and
capability of society to monitor their implementation. To be effective, constitutional
provisions require a mature legal system.
And of course, information is useless unless it is also delivered in a medium that
people can use. To enhance development processes, modes for disseminating and
communicating information must not only be effective, but appropriate and relevant
to the most vulnerable groups - women, poor people, young people and marginalised
minorities.
A number of factors determine whether information is relevant including:
• Literacy
• Language barriers
• Associated costs
• The gender of users
• Location
Page 8:
Effective Implementation - Example
Click the Ethiopian flag for an example of how legislation has not been
implemented effectively in Ethiopia.
Click the Serbian flag for an example of how legislation has not been implemented
effectively in Serbia.
Page 9:
Empowerment of Citizens, especially of Marginalised Groups
Access to information and communication channels ultimately enable people to
participate in decision-making processes, to shape opinions and to influence
decisions that affect them.
Poor and vulnerable groups often:
• Lack information that is vital to their lives - information on basic rights and
entitlements, public services, health, education, work opportunities, public
spending budgets and so on.
• Lack visibility and a voice in the public sphere to enable them to define and
influence policy priorities and access resources.
Development interventions have a crucial role to play in expanding this benefit to

10. marginalised groups, especially women and poor people, by empowering them with
the capacity to find information and use communication channels effectively.
Gender is a critical consideration in initiatives to improve access to information. The
different information needs of men and women and the lack of data on women's
specific needs, in particular, presents important challenges for organisations trying to
initiate access to information programmes in order to meet the MDGs.
Page 12:
Topic Summary
You have successfully completed this topic. You should now have a better
understanding of:
• How access to information supports democratic governance, underpins
initiatives to eradicate poverty and is crucial to achieving the Millennium
Development Goals.
• How access to information can strengthen development processes.
Topic Name: UNDP's Understanding of Access to Information
Page 1:
Topic Objectives
Welcome to the topic on ‘UNDP’s Understanding of Access to Information ’.
This topic will help you understand UNDP's approach to access to information and
how this relates to UNDP’s central objective: to reduce poverty and achieve the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
By the end of this topic you should have a better understanding of:
• UNDP’s conceptual framework on access to information
• The centrality of the pro-poor focus on UNDP’s access to information work
• UNDP’s key function of enhancing the supply of and demand for information
• Specific areas of programming support
Page 2:
Understanding Access to Information
Access to information has two components:
• Information and
• Communication

11. For good access to information:
• People must have the right and ability to obtain information of all types.
• There must be good communication, or flow of information, of all types to and
from people and organisations of all kinds.
These dual components of information and communication represent UNDP's
conceptual framework for access to information.
Page 3:
Information
Information can be held by:
• Governments
• Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
• Communities
• The Private Sector and
• Individuals
Stakeholders include:
• Information creators
• Information users and
• Intermediaries of communication flows
Official information is extremely important and represents one of the many
information types that ordinary people need in order to make informed decisions...
• On matters that affect their lives
• To hold duty bearers to account
• To claim their rights
It can include information on issues as varied as:
• Patients' rights in public hospitals
• Public procurement processes
• The budget allocations to line ministries and local governments and
• Services that authorities must provide with their allocated funds, etc.
Click the Philippines flag on screen to view an example of how information was
used to impeach the President of the Philippines.

12. Page 4:
Communication
Communication implies action and interaction.
To communicate is to:
• Share and exchange ideas and information and
• Express one's opinions and preferences
Information stakeholders use a range of communication channels and mechanisms to
seek, receive, use and share information.
Page 5:
The Information-Communication Circle
The information and communication circle illustrates how access to information and
communication relate to the key governance principles of:
• Transparency
• Active participation
• Responsiveness and
• Accountability
The circle demonstrates how access to information can increase the demand for
better governance and by doing so perpetuate its own demand. Each circle requires
the development of specific capacities for generating, accessing, analysing
information and communicating views.
Click the Resources icon on screen to read the Practice Note on Access to
Information.
Page 6:
The Guiding Principle: Pro-Poor Orientation
UNDP's mandate is to reduce poverty.
Its priorities reflect a specific commitment to the MDGs specifically and the
Millennium Declaration in general.
UNDP's position on access to information reflects this commitment. Its one
central objective is to ensure that all people, including vulnerable and marginalised
people, have access to information to participate in decisions and policy-making
processes.
Access to information is a core empowerment tool. It underpins and cross-cuts all
interventions and programmes for reducing poverty and improving democratic
governance.

13. In short, all UNDP's activities to support access to information initiatives should have
a pro-poor orientation.
Page 7:
UNDP's Position
To meet these objectives, UNDP takes the following position on access to
information:
• Implementing the rights to freedom of expression and access to information
are pre-requisites for ensuring everyone has the voice and ability to
participate that is necessary for a democratic society.
• Access to information and communication build on these internationally
recognised rights and encompass the core principles of democratic
governance: participation, transparency and accountability.
• Promoting and protecting both access to information and flows of information
are of equal importance.
• Creating and strengthening means of communication is essential, especially
those mechanisms that enable poor people to influence national and local
government policy and practice.
Page 8:
How can UNDP make a Difference?
Access to information is a sensitive subject, but UNDP is well placed to do the job of
promoting it by virtue of its comparative advantages:
• Its unique relationship with governments
• Its ability to convene stakeholders
• Its expertise and experience in democratic governance
Beyond these, crucial functions UNDP can carry out are:
• Strengthening mechanisms that will improve the supply of information
• Developing the capacities of organisations and individuals to demand more
information
Stop for a moment -- what is the information and communication culture like in your
country? How are the capacities for demanding and supplying information?
Click the Demand and Supply button on screen to see what activities these include.
Click the Resources icon on screen to read the Information and Documentation
Disclosure Policy.

14. Page 9:
Access to Information Support Areas
There are three principal and closely interrelated areas where UNDP can provide
support:
• Improving the right to information
• Strengthening communication
• Strengthening the media
The three areas are closely interrelated. By making a difference in one area, UNDP
can make a difference in the others, thereby having a greater impact on poverty.
Click the buttons on screen to know more
on each of these areas.
Page 10:
Access to Information Projects – 2007
UNDP’s support for access to information projects has increased by approximately
400% over four years: from 69 projects in 2003, to 279 in 2007 in 60 countries. This
includes both specific access to information projects (for example support to the
development of independent and pluralist media) and projects where access to
information is an integral component of other democratic governance initiatives
(such as legislation support or justice initiatives). Currently, most projects are
carried out in the Arab and Europe-CIS regions.
Some very interesting trends have emerged: in 2003, media development and e-
governance initiatives were the primary focus areas; in 2005, the focus shifted to
right to official information; in 2007 we have seen a substantial increase in the
number of projects related to communication mechanisms for vulnerable groups.
These projects focus on developing and strengthening communication and
information sharing mechanisms that support the development of national capacities
and empower the poorest groups in society to influence decisions that affect their
lives.
Click the Zambian flag on screen to view an example of how the UNDP runs a
project in Zambia which aims at to enhance good governance by addressing the
public participation, transparency and accountability.
Page 11:
Improving the Right to Information
There are three stages where UNDP can provide support for improving the right to
information.
• Pre-legislation
• Legislation development

15. • Legislation implementation
Click the buttons on screen to know about the activities in the stages.
Page 12:
Communication for Empowerment
UNDP defines Communication for Empowerment as a participatory approach that
puts the information and communication needs and interests of disempowered and
marginalised groups at the centre of initiatives to improve media.
In this context, it is important to ensure the media has the capacity and capability to
generate and provide the information that marginalised groups want and need.
UNDP can help by supporting and encouraging initiatives which:
• Increase access to information for marginalised groups, including mechanisms
that fill information gaps
• Highlight and amplify marginalised voices - to ensure the concerns of those at
the margins of political or social power structures are highlighted in the media
and public debate
• Create spaces for public debate, dialogues and action
Decisions about choosing appropriate intervention can begin by conducting
information and communication audits.
Radio in particular is important in communication for empowerment strategies
because of its reach, accessibility to the poor and interactive character.
Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about how to carry out an
information and communication audit.
Page 13:
Strengthening the Media
An independent and pluralist media - at national and local levels - is crucial for
promoting accountability and transparency and an important plank of poverty
reduction.
UNDP supports:
• The development of an enabling environment for inclusive media, such as
community-based media.
• The development of professional standards in the media by encouraging self-
regulation (codes of conduct) and journalist training (investigative
journalism).
• Journalists in all regions to understand and report on issues affecting the
poor. UNDP's National Human Development Reports and MDG Reports are
important entry points for this process.

16. The media sector in pre-conflict, conflict and post-conflict situations plays an
extremely important role.
Several organisations are looking at how to engage the media as a key partner in
conflict prevention, management and reduction.
Page 18:
Topic Summary
You have successfully completed this topic. You should now have a better
understanding of:
• UNDP’s conceptual framework on access to information
• The centrality of the pro-poor focus on UNDP’s access to information work
• Its key function of enhancing the supply of and demand for information
• Specific areas of programming support
Topic Name: Practical Guidance: Access to Information Programming
Page 1:
Topic Objectives
Welcome to the topic on ‘Practical Guidance for Access to Information Programming’.
The aim of the last topic was to show you how to put the principles set out previously
into practice.
By the end of this topic you should have a better understanding of the following
aspects of access to information programming:
• Situation analysis
• Strategy
• Identifying partnerships
• Programme monitoring and evaluation
• Where to find resources for further information
Page 2:
The Overall Context
For all UNDP supported programmes and projects in access to information,
programme officers initially need to establish an understanding of the context
including the political, socio-economic and technical contexts in their countries
drawing on the Common Country Assessment (CCA) and other relevant sources. It is
also important to map the key external players active within the sector.
An analysis of these broad contextual factors will provide the initial ‘landscape’ in

17. which an access to information intervention can take place. Such baselines can often
draw on studies already completed by others.
Key considerations include:
• What is the constitutional and legal position of the right to information – is
there any relevant provision?
• If there is no legislation in place, is any under consideration?
• Are the media subject to interference, either directly through overt
censorship, or indirectly through licensing requirements, economic methods of
control or covert systems of influence?
This will give you the basis for beginning to understand the overall situation.
Click the Click to View icon on screen to view a table of basic questions necessary
for understanding the access to information 'landscape'. Visit pages 12 and 13 of the
document.
Page 3:
Situational Analysis
The situational analysis builds on this understanding of the ‘landscape’ and explores
in more detail important factors relevant to each of the support areas.
Some of the information needed to provide a satisfactory understanding of the
situation may not be available in existing national planning documents.
It will therefore be important to work closely with others, especially government
counterparts, civil society, and other organisations with relevant experience.
Such collaboration could include:
• Drawing on research and mappings undertaken by external actors
• Convening or taking part in consultative meetings
• Using existing surveys, polls and participatory rapid appraisals, etc.
In some cases it will be necessary to contract consultants to pull together the
information needed for a robust and accurate situational analysis.
An information and communication audit should also be carried out:
• Mapping the information needs of poor people (information audit)
• Mapping the voice needs of poor people (communication audit)
Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about carrying out an information
and communication audit.

18. Page 4:
Programme Planning
Access to information cuts across all UNDP activities but specific programmes to
improve access to information fall into one of three types:
• Upstream
• Downstream
• Mainstreaming
Click each tier of the pyramid to learn more about each type.
Page 5:
Reviewing Access to Information Proposals
Once an understanding of the context and the situation has been achieved, the next
important step is to review potential proposals.
There are typically three principal points of origin for access to information
proposals:
• Receiving a proposal or a request for support from a government counterpart
• Identifying a specific need
• Receiving a request from a CSO
In each of the three situations, programme officers should review the objectives of
the proposal against:
• Existing UNDP governance programmes and the agenda of the government
• The country programme and other national strategic documents
• UNDP's commitment to a rights-based programming approach
• The four principal support areas and the information and communication
programming circle
UNDP can help refine the proposal and work with counterparts to carry out a capacity
assessment based on the UNDP approach, which can be found at the Resource
Section. This will enable the country office to formulate a project based on a sound
methodology, incorporating the most appropriate capacity development strategies in
accordance with the context in question.
Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about reviewing access to
information proposals.
Page 6:
Identifying Partnerships
UNDP can leverage its relatively limited resources to enhance the impact of its work

19. in access to information by working in partnership with other development actors.
Strengthening and deepening existing partnerships is an organisational priority
recognising that partnerships enable information to be shared and provide access to
specialist expertise and experience. They may also reduce the chance that the efforts
are duplicated.
While there is no set formula for partnerships, there are a number of critical
components, which can contribute in varying degrees to a successful partnership.
These include:
• Clear criteria for identifying relevant civil society partners
• Mutual trust and commitment
• A well thought out project plan with clear objectives
• Clearly identified responsibilities and roles for each partner
• Expectations of the partnership that are transparent for each partner
• Relationships within the partnership that are continually monitored.
UNDP’s main partners in access to information programming can include:
• Government (national and local)
• Civil Society Organisations
• Media Organisations
• Media Support Organisations
• Multilateral and Bilateral Development agencies
Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about guidance for identifying
partners.
Page 7:
Monitoring and Evaluation of Access to Information Programmes
Evaluating the programmes you support is vital to understanding the impact the
work is having and whether you are making the most effective use of resources.
UNDP has moved away from measuring inputs to measuring outcomes through
setting annual targets. The current guidance recommends country offices to enter
baselines, indicators and estimated expenditure against outcomes for the duration of
the country programme.
The selection of outcome indicators should begin by developing an inclusive list of
potential indicators, although you should recognise that indicators are specific to the
situation.
It is particularly important to develop indicators that measure the impact of
programmes upon women and the poor. As formal equality may conceal considerable
differences in actual equality, simply providing formal means to request information
as a citizen’s right may not be enough.
Click the Resources icon on screen to read more about monitoring and evaluation.

20. Page 8:
Sample Indicators
The following are all useful potential indicators:
• Percentage of requests for official information that are granted each year in
relation to requests received.
• Budget allocated to government bodies/units in charge of ensuring that
access to information legislation is implemented.
• Evidence of women and poor utilising information requests.
• Measurable increase in media coverage of development issues in mainstream
and community media.
• Increased participation and representation of the perspectives of vulnerable
groups in media debates.
• Evidence that media-generated debate is leading to discussion, action, and
policy changes.
• A measurable improvement in the quality of journalistic coverage, specifically
in terms of independence and professionalism (enhanced capacities of media
personnel).
• Number of investigative reporting and/or public interest features in the
media.
Click the Quick Facts icon on screen to view the sources of information.
Page 11:
Topic Summary
You have successfully completed this topic. You should now have a better
understanding of:
• Situation analysis
• Strategy
• Identifying partnerships
• Programme monitoring and evaluation
• Where to find resources for further information
Topic Name: Lesson Summary
Page 1:
Resources
You can refer to the links provided on screen to learn more about “Access to
Information”. Remember to visit the Resources section for a more comprehensive
reading list.

21. Page 3:
Lesson Summary
Congratulations! You have successfully completed this lesson. You should now have a
better understanding of:
• Trends, concepts and issues relating to access to information
• How access to information supports democratic governance, underpins
initiatives to eradicate poverty, and is crucial to achieving the Millennium
Development Goals
• UNDP’s pro-poor approach supporting to access to information
• Specific areas of programming support
• Practical tips for programming and where to find further information