Statement of Information Freedom

Information freedom is basic human right. Per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN in 1948, it 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”. The reason is simple, without information, there is no knowledge; without knowledge, there is no wisdom; without wisdom, then we are just Homo, not Sapiens any more. Simply put, without the free flow of information, we are no different than other members of animal kingdom.

There are two major reasons why information can not flow freely, one is the lack of money, another is the lack of means. Lack of money is an easier problem, it refers to the lack of infrastructure or equipment needed for modern communication, i.e. some part of Africa or South East Asia. The lack of means, however, is a much more serious problem. Some regimes intentionally control the flow of information, by doing so, they hope they can stay in power forever. If “Control of the flow of information is the tool of the dictatorship”, then the road to democracy starts with the freedom of information.