The role of organisations in ensuring universal access to information
In today’s interconnected world, organisations have a crucial role in promoting universal access to information. They drive positive societal change by informing, educating, and mobilising communities. This responsibility includes ensuring that information is accessible to all, particularly marginalised and underserved groups, by removing technological, linguistic, and socioeconomic barriers. In this year’s International Day for Universal Access to Information, emphasis is placed on the need for organisations, through various digital and media platforms, to not only disseminate knowledge but also foster collaboration, advocate for causes, and empower communities to address social, environmental, and economic issues.
In today’s media landscape, businesses often function as media entities, engaging directly with their audiences across multiple communication channels. Through blog posts, articles, videos, podcasts, infographics, and social media, they share information to educate, entertain, and inform while subtly promoting their products or services. Beyond social media, many organisations also own media platforms such as websites, blogs, email newsletters, and mobile apps. These channels offer a controlled environment for publishing content, engaging with their audience, and driving traffic toward their services or products. Some have adopted a journalistic storytelling approach, producing content that mirrors traditional media articles or news segments. This model emphasises the delivery of valuable, relevant, and timely information, which positions the organisation as a trusted source of expertise within its industry.
Businesses, which rely on informed communities to drive change, have a significant responsibility to ensure universal access to information. This responsibility involves actively removing barriers such as technological, linguistic, and socioeconomic obstacles, ensuring that all individuals and communities can benefit from the knowledge they provide. Without widespread access to the information they share, organisations’ ability to educate and mobilise communities would be greatly diminished. Therefore, ensuring that information is accessible to everyone is essential to maximising their positive societal impact.
Another vital contribution is their ability to bridge knowledge gaps, particularly in underserved or marginalised communities. They play a crucial role in promoting universal access by acting as conduits for reliable and accurate information. This ensures that knowledge is broadly shared and readily available, empowering individuals and communities to address social, economic, and environmental challenges and drive positive change. Universal access to information means these educational resources reach all corners of society, enabling people from diverse backgrounds to actively participate in sustainable development, civic engagement, and local initiatives. Moreover, ensuring marginalised and vulnerable groups have access to vital information helps to level the playing field, allowing them to participate in societal transformation, ensuring their voices are heard and leading to more inclusive and equitable outcomes.
Furthermore, they use the information they disseminate to rally communities around causes like environmental sustainability, gender equality, and health issues. Universal access ensures that people, regardless of location or status, have the knowledge to engage in collective efforts and advocacy, consequently sparking meaningful, large-scale change. In this interconnected world, organisations leverage digital platforms to connect individuals globally, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across borders. This enhances the capacity for communities to work together toward shared goals, such as combating climate change or improving public health.
As the world marks International Day for Universal Access to Information, organisations must realise and leverage their capacity to promote universal access to information, mainly when their mission is to inform, educate, and mobilise communities toward positive societal change.
