ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday underscored the importance of the free flow of information in ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance, calling access to information a “fundamental and democratic right” of every citizen.
In his message marking the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), the president urged stakeholders to work collectively to protect this right and to foster a more open and informed society.
He cautioned, however, that the growing prevalence of misinformation and fake news in the digital era posed a “serious threat,” undermining public trust and weakening national unity. “Timely and accurate access to information empowers citizens and enables them to actively participate in national development,” the President Secretariat quoted him as saying.
President Zardari also emphasized the need for responsible journalism, stressing that democratic stability relies on the dissemination of accurate and verified information. He urged public institutions to strengthen systems that guarantee access to information, making governance more effective and transparent.
Appealing to citizens, he advised against spreading unverified content on social media, noting that a well-informed society forms the foundation of justice, accountability, and sustainable progress.
