Freedom of Information Unit

Mission

The Freedom of Information Unit (FOIU) was established in 2001 to administer the Freedom of Information Act, Chapter 22:02 (“FOIA”). Its main mandate is to educate, train, monitor and evaluate public authorities and members of the public in respect of their rights and/or obligations under the Freedom of Information Act. The FOIU also has the responsibility for the implementation and facilitation of the Data Protection Act (2011), until such time as the administrative machinery is established in respect of the Office of the Information Commissioner, given that this Act will have strategic linkages to the FOIA and will operate to amend certain provisions of the FOIA.

Objectives

• Inform public authorities on legal requirements of the FOIA and Data Protection Act
• Train and sensitize public authorities as to their obligations under the FOIA and Data Protection Act
• Increase public awareness of the FOIA and Data Protection Act
• Monitoring and Evaluation of the FOIA and Data Protection Act
• Develop administrative systems to support the FOIA and Data Protection Act
• Efficient reporting to Parliament through annual reports on the operations of
  the FOIA and Data Protection Act
• Implementation and facilitation of the Data Protection Act

Functions

• Client Relations and Training
• Research
• Monitoring and Evaluation