Information as a right: what’s holding us back? Key takeaways on advancing rights-based approaches to communication and participation
The concept of ‘information as aid’ is underpinned by the fundamental rights to information, participation and freedom of expression. The movement to embed communication, community engagement and accountability (CCEA) across the humanitarian–development nexus must be built on the recognition that everyone has the right to a say in choices that impact their lives.
Yet, as the CDAC Network Governing Board noted in a call for action last year, the humanitarian sector’s approach to CCEA is often ‘largely self-serving’, designed to fit programmatic and donor objectives rather than recognising and upholding the agency, dignity and rights of affected people.
At the 2023 Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW), CDAC convened a panel of interdisciplinary experts to explore barriers and opportunities to advance rights-based approaches to CCEA.
Moderated by Rosie Jackson (Director of Policy & Programmes, CDAC Network), the panel featured:
Asia Kambal – Project Manager, Rooted in Trust Sudan, Internews
Catherine Alcaraz – AAP Working Group Coordinator, International Organization for Migration Ethiopia
Leyla Mohamed – Editor, Radio Ergo, International Media Support
Philippa Hill – Head of Humanitarian Child Rights, Participation & Accountability, Save the Children International
Key takeaways
The rights to information and freedom of expression are foundational
One of the key principles of a rights-based approach is the recognition that all human rights are indivisible and interdependent. Therefore, rights that humanitarians may traditionally see as more ‘urgent’ – such as rights to protection and health – cannot be meaningfully realised without the realisation of other rights, including to information and freedom of expression.
In fact, while there is no hierarchy, supporting the right to information – ensuring people know their rights and entitlements – enables and empowers affected people to claim their other rights. For this reason, the theme of the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on 3 May 2023, recognises the rights enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – freedom of expression and the right to seek, receive and impart information – as driver for all other rights.
Despite this – and even though most agencies adopt a rights-based approach in principle – there is not a consistent understanding of what it means to be rights-based in practice, with ‘rights’ and ‘needs’ often being used interchangeably.
‘We still see this lingering perception of information and participation as luxuries that humanitarians can consider only after all the other rights – such as protection and health – have been met. But the right to information and the right to participation can be lifesaving and life-enhancing in and of themselves’
– Philippa Hill, Save the Children International
A rights-based approach to information puts communities at the centre of humanitarian response
Framing information simply as ‘aid’, said Catherine Alcaraz, implies a one-way transaction, with humanitarians ‘giving’ information to passive recipients. When viewed through the lens of rights, information and communication have the potential to disrupt many of the power dynamics associated with aid and put affected communities at the centre of the response.
In this way, the right to information may be more challenging to typical humanitarian ways of working and to the sector’s history of colonial and paternalistic attitudes. Withholding information and two-way communication from communities denies their capacity and agency to make informed decisions for their own lives and livelihoods, and the ability to inform and interrogate the relief services they receive.
Reflecting on the links between information, power and colonialism, Asia Kambal noted that this inequality of access also plays out between humanitarians, with international staff often having a monopoly over vital programmatic information, excluding local and national staff and hindering effective response.
‘As humanitarians, we need to start getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, with being challenged and with not being in power and in control all the time’
– Asia Kambal, Internews
‘No excuses’ not to find solutions to persistent barriers
Participants acknowledged that some blockages to advancing rights-based approaches are operational, rather than structural – but in some cases have become ingrained into the culture of the humanitarian sector.
For example, adherence to humanitarian principles may contribute to a hesitation to engage with governments where they are failing to fulfil their obligations as the primary duty-bearer. However, as Philippa Hill pointed out, many crises occur in places where it is impossible not to engage with government. This should push us to identify meaningful ways of supporting all duty-bearers, including states, to uphold people’s right to information.
Time constraints may be another perceived barrier. While the development sector has long mainstreamed rights-based and participatory approaches, the speed with which many humanitarian responses are activated may sometimes become an ‘excuse’ not to meaningfully adopt these, said Catherine. Yet grounding communication and participation around rights builds communities’ long-term capacity and resilience.
Change cannot be achieved in silo
The panel offered several considerations for advancing rights-based approaches to CCEA in practice. First and foremost, adopting rights-based principles means addressing barriers to equal participation of vulnerable and marginalised people.
Supporting crisis-affected people to claim their rights should also build on acknowledgement of their capacity and agency not only to seek but also to impart information, including promoting their own initiatives for information-sharing and participation.
Finally, the media are a cornerstone for upholding Article 19 and, as Leyla Mohamed noted, their knowledge of and relationships with their audiences are invaluable for facilitating participation and promoting understanding of rights and entitlements. Humanitarians should seek to better collaborate with media partners – not only to provide accurate information in crises but also to support people to develop the media literacy skills to seek and critically engage with information.
