On March 27th, 2025, the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) hosted a Virtual Town Hall to engage the public in a critical discussion on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the right of all Bahamians to access government-held information.
Hosted by ORG’s Executive Director, Matt Aubry —The session was part of ORG’s broader campaign to advance transparency, accountability, and civic engagement in The Bahamas. While FOIA was passed into law in 2017, it has yet to be fully enacted and operationalized—leaving citizens without meaningful access to information that impacts their lives and communities.
ORG has been a consistent advocate for the full implementation of FOIA, working through public education, coalition-building, and direct policy engagement. To support this effort, ORG recently relaunched its FOIA Resource Hub—an online platform providing clear, accessible information on FOIA, its current status, and why it matters.
During the Town Hall, ORG also previewed its upcoming FOIA Advocacy Letter Writing Tool, set to launch on May 1st, 2025. This new digital tool will allow citizens to easily create and send letters to their representatives, calling for the full enactment and implementation of FOIA. It’s part of ORG’s mission to make civic action easier and more impactful for everyday Bahamians.
The event was hosted in partnership with the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) and co-funded by the European Union, as part of a regional initiative to strengthen democratic participation and access to justice.
To explore the FOIA Resource Hub or get ready to send your letter on May 1st, visit: www.orgbahamas.com/foia-hub