Lack of access to public information and records violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948 which grants everyone the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of borders (Article 19). The International Convention on Civil Political Rights of 1966 repeats Article 19 but concedes that the exercise of this may be subject to certain restrictions. These are provided by law and are necessary to respect the rights or reputations of others to protect national security, public order or public health or morality.

How can Arab journalists work with lawmakers and civil rights organizations to modernize these laws and engage the public in a drive to guarantee greater accountability and rule of law? In designing new laws, most Arab countries face a double challenge. They must balance the right of access to information with individual rights to privacy – and further to keep secret confidential information that could be harmful to the public.