International Day for Universal Access to Information – 28 September 2026

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) joins the international community in commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information, which is celebrated annually on 28 September. 

The day has been recognised as an opportunity to promote and reinforce the fundamental right of everyone to seek, receive, and impart information. 

The proclamation of the International Day for Universal Access to Information resulted from co-operation between African civil society and African States at UNESCO which declared the day in 2015, followed by its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017.

This year’s commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information is being held under the theme: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The role of access to Information in addressing Information Disorder.”

Relevant to this end, the Commission has initiated three initiatives:

First, adopting Resolution 630, which mandates the development of Guidelines to assist States in monitoring technology companies’ compliance with their responsibility to uphold information integrity.

Second, adopting Resolution 631, which calls for the development of Guidelines to ensure that all platforms operating in Africa serve the public interest. 

Third, the Commission will be considering African Guidelines on Access to Data, pursuant to its Resolution 620. This instrument will enable monitoring of how digital platforms and AI services are impacting on information integrity, by promoting transparency about disinformation, algorithmic amplification, and online hate speech. 

Together, the Commission’s these three initiatives will serve to promote the accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness of the information ecosystem.

Further, the Commission has decided that next year will see a review of its Model Law on Access to Information for Africa. This soft law document was adopted in 2013 by the Commission to aid African States in enacting relevant national legislation to ensure this right. In its review the Commission will seek to incorporate the digital age aspects in its model law.

Access to information is a fundamental human right enshrined under Article 9(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in addition to being recognised in a number of African instruments including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance, the AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Public Service and Administration and the African Youth Charter. The inclusion of this right in the various instruments underscores the importance of this right, in addition to its cross-cutting nature.

Access to reliable, accurate, and transparent information is essential in countering information disorder, as it facilitates the substitution of false or misleading content with verified facts. As the International Day for Universal Access to Information is commemorated today, the Commission reaffirms its commitment to advocating for the realization of the right of access to information, while contributing to global efforts and discussions aimed at addressing information disorder in this era we are currently living in.

Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo
Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa

Banjul, 28 September 2026