International Right To Know Day

Categories:: Cause
Tags:: Safety Technology
Where:: International
Date change rule:: Every September 28
Holiday emoji:: 🌐

International Right To Know Day advocates for the fundamental human right to access information held by public bodies every September 28. This global observance underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance. Learn how to support open data initiatives, demand greater transparency from institutions, and spread awareness about this vital right.

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Expected International Right To Know Day Deals

As a cause-driven observance, International Right To Know Day focuses on advocacy and education rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the Open Government Partnership and Access Info Europe lead campaigns, hosting webinars and public discussions to highlight the importance of freedom of information laws. Tech companies like ProtonMail or DuckDuckGo may offer educational content on data privacy and digital rights. Non-profits such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) often run donation drives to support their work in defending digital liberties. We encourage direct engagement with these organizations to support their mission for a more transparent world.

Platform Guide for International Right To Know Day

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #RightToKnowDay. Share news articles, statistics, and personal stories about the importance of information access.

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #InternationalRightToKnowDay. Discuss corporate transparency, data ethics, and open government initiatives.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #AccessToInfo. Share educational resources, infographics, and join community discussions on digital rights and privacy.

International Right To Know Day Hero

Tim Berners-Lee

Sir Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist, is credited with inventing the World Wide Web in 1989. His vision for an open, accessible, and free information space fundamentally underpins the modern concept of the 'right to know.' He continues to advocate for net neutrality and digital rights through organizations like the World Wide Web Foundation.

History of International Right To Know Day

Knowledge influences our thinking, reasoning, and the way we express ourselves. Most times, we make decisions based on facts and things we know. Since we live in a society in which we are codependent, it is important for us to know what is happening around us to take action for our safety and improvement. International Right To Know Day is a day on which we acknowledge our right to seek and access information.

The day was first inaugurated by a UNESCO Conference in 2002, after which it was adopted and developed by many international civil societies, which celebrated it in 2012. It was finally proclaimed in 2019 by the U.N. General Assembly as International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) and is officially celebrated on September 28.

International Right To Know Day came to be by the action of African civil societies who demanded transparency. A citizen’s right to know would stand as a check to the government’s actions and implementation of laws. International Right To Know Day does not only give citizens the power to actively participate in the political system of their countries, but it also backs the freedom of the press, making information dissemination easier. In Bulgaria, access to information is celebrated with an annual awards ceremony held by the Access to Information Program (AIP).

International Right To Know Day timeline

September 28, 2002

The First Holiday

UNESCO creates the first International Right To Know Day.

2003

The First Awards Ceremony

AIP marks the day with an awards ceremony.

2015

The Date is Set

UNESCO declares September 28 as International Right To Know Day.

2019

IDUAI is Born

The 74th U.N. General Assembly proclaims International Day for Universal Access to Information.

How Businesses Can Celebrate International Right To Know Day

Local businesses can honor International Right To Know Day by enhancing their own transparency and data practices. Consider publishing a clear, easy-to-understand privacy policy or an annual transparency report detailing data requests. Host a workshop on digital literacy or online safety for employees and the community. Businesses can also support local journalism or non-profits advocating for information access through donations or pro-bono services, demonstrating a commitment to open knowledge.

International Right To Know Day FAQs

When is International Right To Know Day?

International Right To Know Day 2026 falls on a Monday, September 28, advocating for transparency and open access to information globally.

How many countries observe International Right To Know Day?

Over 100 countries worldwide officially recognize and celebrate International Right To Know Day, promoting the universal right to access public information through various events and campaigns.

What is the history of International Right To Know Day?

International Right To Know Day was first established on September 28, 2002, by freedom of information advocates from around the world, marking a unified effort to promote transparency and citizen engagement.

Why is access to information important?

Access to information is crucial for holding governments accountable, empowering citizens, and fostering transparent governance. It enables informed public participation in decision-making processes and helps combat corruption.

How to Observe International Right To Know Day

Surf the internet
The internet is the easiest way to source info, so use this day to browse and learn many things. Visit various blogs and websites, and soak in all of that info!
Share a blog post
You exercise your right when you write, share, or read a blog post with your friends and family. By doing this, you are impacting others and helping them exercise their rights, too.
Stay updated
Watch the news, read the papers, listen to the radio — know what is happening around you. Whether the topic is on sports, politics, crime, or even the weather forecast, the more you know, the better!

5 Amazing Facts About The News

The oldest newspaper
The oldest news publication in the U.S. is the “New York Post,” running since 1801.
The first female news anchor
The first female news anchor on television was Barbara Walters in 1976.
The main source
As of 2018, it was found that most Americans get their information from TV and the internet.
Top news
Weather reports are ranked the 'most important news' for everyday life, ahead of crime and traffic news.
No more papers
The rate of newspaper circulation has dropped since 2018, as many users now source their information online.

Why International Right To Know Day is Important

We learn more
By celebrating our right to know, we learn more about things around us.
Know and bond
As we share and learn info with family and friends, we bond with them and grow closer.
We get smarter
Knowing more allows us to think deeper and more critically about things, and that makes us smarter!