Bermuda To Celebrate ‘Right To Know Day’

Bermuda will join nations across the globe today [Sept 28] in marking Right to Know Day, coinciding with UNESCO’s International Day for Universal Access to Information.

A spokesperson said, “Today, Monday, 28 September 2026, Bermuda celebrates Right to Know Day, joining nations across the globe commemorating UNESCO’s International Day for Universal Access to Information [IDUAI].

“This year’s local theme, ‘Accessing Reliable Public Information in the Digital Age: From Speculation to Facts Using PATI’, directly aligns with the global IDUAI theme, ‘Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder’. Together, these campaigns highlight how the statutory right to access public records and information under the Public Access to Information [PATI] Act 2010 serves as Bermuda’s ultimate tool to counter viral rumours, online speculation, and digital misinformation.”

Speaking on the launch of Bermuda Right to Know Day 2026, Information Commissioner Jason Outerbridge emphasised the transformative role of public access in modern society: “This is an exciting and pivotal time for public access rights. With the rapid integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, alongside the constant flood of unverified content across social media, digital information is everywhere. But how do you verify the facts so that you can ‘know for yourself’ when seeking truth about public decisions and spending? The facts are in the public record: every record tells a story!

“For Bermuda Right to Know Day 2026, the ICO is encouraging the public to understand and actively exercise their PATI rights. Whether by exploring the official digital content on the Government’s web portal, discovering the digital collection at the Bermuda National Library or by submitting a formal PATI request to a public authority, the power is in all of our hands to move from speculation to solid, facts using PATI.”

The spokesperson said, “To mark Bermuda Right to Know Day, the ICO is hosting a dynamic series of interactive public events and digital initiatives designed to engage residents throughout this week [Monday, 28 September to Friday, 2 October 2026]:

‘Find the Facts’ Digital Scavenger Hunt [Monday, 28 September to Friday, 2 October 2026]

“Launching today on ico.bm and the ICO’s social media channels, daily clue-based questions will challenge the public to navigate digitally available government records to ‘Find the Facts’ for a chance to win daily prizes.

‘Man-on-the-Street’ Public Awareness Interviews [Monday, 28 September]

“ICO will be joined by videographers from 7 South Productions on the streets of Hamilton asking residents: ‘What do you want to know?’. Members of the public are invited to step to the microphone, share what public topics matter most to them, and join the conversation on civic engagement using PATI.

• 12noon – 4pm
• Location: Corner of Front Street and Queen Street, Hamilton

Exploring Bermuda National Library’s Digital Collection – Lunch & Learn [Tuesday, 29 September]

“Collection Management Librarian, Ellen Hollis, will lead two educational sessions demonstrating how to navigate and search the Bermuda National Library’s Digital Collection to access digital government records. Two sessions will be offered:

• 12noon – 1:30pm, RSVP is required. To register visit bnl.bm or call 295-2905
• 1:30pm – 3pm. Walkin session. No RSVP required.
• Location: Bermuda National Library, Queen Street, Hamilton

‘Find the Facts & Know for Yourself Using PATI’ [Friday, 2 October]

“Information Commissioner, Jason Outerbridge, will host a free, interactive public discussion detailing practical steps to request public records and navigate government disclosures in the digital age.

• 12:30pm. Walkin session. No RSVP required.
• Location: Bermuda National Library, Queen Street, Hamilton

“This week, the ICO will also announce the winner of its youth social media campaign competition and formally recognise five public authorities receiving the 2026 Information Commissioner’s Awards.”

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