KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has initiated a comprehensive review process for modernizing its two-decade-old Access to Information (ATI) Act, with Cabinet-level decisions pending on the reform approach. Senator Marlon Morgan, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, revealed the development during a public forum titled ‘Enhancing Transparency: Examining the Access to Information Act and Its Reform’ hosted by Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ).
The reform initiative gains significance as previous recommendations from a 2011 Joint Select Committee of Parliament require substantial updating due to evolving global standards and technological advancements. Senator Morgan emphasized that the ministry has reached a critical juncture in its evaluation of various position papers and stakeholder submissions, including substantial input from civil society organizations.
Key drivers for the legislative refresh include Jamaica’s recent implementation of the Data Protection Act (2020), which became fully operational in 2023, creating new considerations for information governance. The convergence of data protection requirements with freedom of information principles necessitates legislative alignment to ensure both transparency and privacy protections.
Concurrently, the Access to Information Unit is pursuing operational enhancements scheduled for implementation during fiscal year 2026/27. These improvements include comprehensive training programs for ATI officers focused on reducing processing backlogs, enhancing proactive disclosures, and implementing technological solutions to streamline information requests. The training curriculum will incorporate best practices from the requester’s perspective to improve service delivery.
Senator Morgan outlined several public engagement initiatives, including a new ATI website launch in 2026, the creation of an online stakeholder engagement platform by March, and development of an institutional report card system to measure performance metrics. Additionally, the ATI Unit will finalize draft framework for an Advisory Committee during early 2026 for submission to Portfolio Minister Senator Dana Morris Dixon.
The government’s dual approach combines legislative reform with operational improvements, reflecting commitment to strengthening transparency mechanisms, enhancing governmental accountability, and facilitating greater public participation in national decision-making processes.