Freedom of information making global headlines

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Today, Britain's The Telegraph, reports that "control of access to information is a powerful weapon", especially in the hands of politicians. The article adds that "unnecessary secrecy and lack of transparency can lead to arrogance in governance and bad decision-making."

Even more so when it comes to keeping information from the media, as accurate reporting is what puts bread on the table.

This comes in light of an article by HITC Politics, which reveals that The UK's Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, has called to disband a commission currently reviewing their freedom of information law as he feels certain review members are biased.

UK's The Week adds that without the law, the public wouldn't have seen otherwise confidential information.

And while overall freedom to 'write what you like' can be seen as taking the opposite stance to media regulation and allowing for written defamation or libel to increase, aren't we already there, with social media platforms allowing all and sundry to post their opinions and share them with the world? That's not to say social media's without regulation though, as other headlines today include that of a Russian video blogger jailed for publishing certain videos online as they're seen as inciting hatred.

That's why social media law is gaining traction across the continent.

But it's not strictly about censorship and keeping an eye on every word published. Instead, the renewed sentiment towards reporting the truth, free of repercussion is strong, especially in Africa, with Media Rights Agenda recently organising a four-day workshop for Nigerian journalists, asking them to "embrace the Freedom of Information Act as a way of holding public office holders and institutions accountable," says The Daily Times.

With ever-increasing calls for transparency in government dealings and reporting alike, the future looks promising. Let's see what 2016's headlines hold...