September 28 marks the World Day of the Right to Universal Access to Information, we share the reflection of Pablo Bürki, professor at the Faculty of Law and member of CEIDH "Prof. Juan Carlos Gardella

Since 2016, the World Day for the Right to Universal Access to Information. This date was established by the UNESCO General Assembly the previous year. Although it is not a long-standing right, its main antecedent is found in the commemoration of the "Right to Know" day, which has been celebrated since 2002 at the proposal of several African countries. We can say that it is a new human right and that it is the product of technological advances in communication. In it, historical rights are found as pillars in the field of human rights such as freedom of expression, the right to information, the right to dignity, honor and informative self-determination.

Currently, many countries in the world have laws on access to public information and regulations on some media. However, given the lack of concrete definitions by the states in communication policies, and the advance of large platform companies, which every day concentrate more content and digital information, there is still a long way to go. Consequently, The society of the XNUMXst century finds itself in a cultural, economic, political battle and the production of meaning without precedent in the knowledge society.. These problems are reflected in practices such as the culture of cancellation, the processes of disinformation and dissemination of fake news (false news), lawfare, hate speech that attacks any different or dissident idea or thought, and in any type of media. censorship that is installed as a practice.

That is why, as citizens of a society that has entered a maelstrom of technological and digital growth never seen before in history, it is imperative for us to know that these times bring us new challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to understand that Access to information is a fundamental right, and we must demand its guarantee and protection, in order to have accessible, clear and open information, respectful of ideological differences, of otherness, that generates the possibilities of public debate and of a "thinking collective". Only then will we be in a position to reaffirm democracy for our present and for future generations. 

Prof. Pablo Burki
CEIDH “Prof. Juan Carlos Gardella
Law School