Laura Neuman (left), Access to Information project manager at the Carter Center; Senator Professor Trevor Munroe (standing); Colin Campbell (second right), Minister of Information and Development; and Carolyn Gomes, executive director of Jamaicans For Justice, share ideas during yesterday's Access to Information Seminar hosted by The Carter Center in association with the Ministry of Information and the Access to Information Stakeholders Committee at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
GOVERNMENT SENATOR Professor Trevor Munroe wants private entities, which exercise public power, to be brought under the Access to Information Act.
Citing monopolies such as the Caribbean Cement Company Ltd., the Jamaica Public Service Company as well as entities involved in the telecommunications sector as examples, Professor Munroe says it is in the public interest that these companies provide access to key information.
During a panel discussion yesterday at an Access to Information seminar, hosted by the United States-based Carter Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Development and local stakeholders, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, Professor Munroe pointed out that the act made provision for the Information Minister to apply the law to any organisation, which provides services of a public nature that are essential to the welfare of the Jamaican society.
ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE
"There is absolutely no excuse now for the Minister to refuse to exercise his power under the law to bring private entities exercising public power subject to affirmative resolution, within the purview of the Access to Information Act," he stressed.
The Government Senator is also calling for criminal sanctions against public servants who withhold information under the act.
He said that after public bodies are warned for non-compliance, if they refuse to comply, then criminal sanctions should be applied.
A joint select committee of Parliament is reviewing the Access to Information Act with a view to proposing several amendments.
