Freedom of Information in the Bahamas, a Journey of Starts and Stops

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Before the 2012 election, the Ingraham administration passed the first Freedom of Information legislation, but it was never enacted.

After winning the election that year, the Progressive Liberal Party decided to review the Act, forming a committee of local and international stakeholders.

During this time, protests were held, with many demanding that the public know what the government was doing.

Joe Darville – Former Director, Save The Bays

“We supposed to be one of the leading marine in the Caribbean area, but yet many of them have a Freedom of Information Act in place today, and The Bahamas has not.”

After several revisions, including removing ministerial veto power over disclosures and establishing guidelines for the appointment of an independent Information Commissioner, a revised bill was sent out for public consultation in May 2015.

But it wouldn’t be tabled in Parliament until December 2016.

Then Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald had this to say at the time.

Jerome Fitzgerald – Former Minister, Education, Science, And Technology

“Which is relevant and adheres to international best standards based on our situation of parliamentary democracy.”

The Christie administration passed a revised version of the bill in 2017.

Fast forward three years later…

Ahead of the Progressive Liberal Party’s 2021 election victory, the party promised FOIA would be fully implemented under the Davis administration.

However, during the last term, the prime minister has since said it is not a priority against other agenda items.

Now in 2026, there are four pieces of legislation out for review, while watchdog groups like the Organization For Responsible Governance have called for the strengthening of the regulations.