Departments and Agencies of government must take steps to make it available actively, promptly and comprehensively. The power of electronic communications networks should be made available for communication between individuals and local and national government. In addition, government should provide for freedom of access to information from public sector bodies, and private sector bodies where appropriate. Through provisions such as legal deposit, Government must provide for access to information and ideas, including archiving for the benefit of future generations. Government should take whatever steps are necessary to provide equal access to networked information systems, and to encourage the availability of information across those systems.
All individuals have the right to personal privacy and anonymity in their use of information.
Privacy of personal information should be defended and extended. The principles of Data Protection should be upheld. These should support the free flow of information that is in the public domain, particularly bibliographic data. A commitment to Freedom of Information is a core responsibility for the library and information profession, which is uniquely placed and skilled to make the case for the widest possible access, to defend it and to deliver it. The Library Association enforces a Code of Professional Conduct that binds its members to uphold these principles for access to information.