Freedom of information left in tsunami’s wake

The earthquake and tsunamis that hit South and Southeast Asia on 26
December 2004 resulted in a tragedy of enormous proportions. More than
178,000 people died and around 130,000 are missing, presumed dead.
Many more have seen their homes and livelihoods destroyed. The cost of the
recovery stage of the relief operation is estimated to amount to £21.5bn and it
will be years before everyday life will return to anything approaching normal in
the affected regions.

International and national responses to disasters so far suggest that insufficient
weight has been placed on the need to promote and respect freedom of
expression and information. As a result, humanitarian disasters will be, at some points or throughout, an information crisis.  ARTICLE 19 is concerned that those involved in responding to the Asian earthquake and tsunami will also fall into this trap, and have issued a report,  “Humanitarian Disasters and Information Rights”, highlighting the importance of fulfilling the rights to expression and information in the context of a natural disaster.

The rights to information and expression are fundamental human rights. They underpin all human rights and are central to human development. In the context of a large-scale natural disaster, fulfilling these rights takes on particular importance: appropriately targeted information cannot only ensure that assistance is effective and locally relevant, but it can also save lives and preserve human dignity. The right to “seek, receive and impart information and ideas” is guaranteed under international law and most national constitutions, States and intergovernmental organizations should ensure that respect for this key right is central to an effective disaster response. This is true for all stages of the response, from the warning and preparatory stage to the immediate post-disaster response and longer-term reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

Early warning systems, a major issue following the Asian earthquake and
tsunami, are information-based. An immediate post-disaster need is to assess
the extent of the damage. In particular, casualties should be found and treated,
the dead identified and living relatives informed of loss. Access to information is of particular importance in the aftermath of a disaster:

• to mitigate the loss of life;
• to reduce panic;
• to direct people on how and where to get essential services;
• to facilitate contact with relatives and friends;
• to assist in the discovery of the missing and in burying the dead appropriately;
• to provide an outlet for grief and counselling;
• to provide watchdog oversight over assistance activities and help guard against corruption; and
• to ensure two-way communication between assistance providers and the affected communities.

The effectiveness of relief efforts depends on informing local populations about what is being provided, by whom and where. In the more medium term, information is central to effective reconstruction efforts. A free flow of information is also central for ensuring the accountability of aid activities and for preventing corruption.

ARTICLE 19’s report addresses these disaster-affected populations, people acting on their behalf, including journalists and relief workers. It recognizes the central role access to information plays in  responding to disaster, arguing for the protection and fulfilment of freedom of expression and access to information in disaster situations, from the pre-disaster phase or early warning, to the reconstruction efforts. The report also recognizes these populations’ right to have a voice. It sets out legal and ethical strategies to protect these rights, recognizing the profound threat to free expression and access to information arising from natural disasters.

The report also identifies a set of minimum recommendations that should be implemented to ensure that governments, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations engaged in relief efforts respect, protect and fulfil the right to freedom of expression of affected populations and individuals.

ARTICLE 19 continues to monitor and review communication and information flows in tsunami-affected areas and other humanitarian contexts, and develop remedial actions for implementation by humanitarian actors, ARTICLE 19 and its partners.