The quality of a democracy depends on the direct participation of individuals in the exercise of their democratic rights and responsibilities.
All people have a fundamental right to create, acquire and disseminate information.
Information must not only be accessible by individuals but also be broadly disseminated in easily usable formats to locations convenient for individual use. Individuals must be given the educational opportunity to develop their information literacy - their ability to recognise their need for information, and then to identify, locate, access, evaluate and apply the needed information. Public access to high-speed telecommunications networks, including access to community networks providing noncommercial information and providing options for creating and sharing community information, is a requirement for access to information. The protection of privacy is essential for the protection of civil liberties and human rights. Many individuals and organisations have indicated their desire for open and accountable government, and their concern about personal privacy.