Swaratsingh: FOI changes could cut newspaper costs

PLANNING, Economic Affairs and Development Minister Dr Kennedy Swaratsingh says Government’s proposed changes to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act could save taxpayers money by reducing the cost of repeatedly publishing mandatory State notices in newspapers.

Swaratsingh rejected suggestions that Government is attempting to sideline newspapers, insisting that the print media remains an important avenue for public information and will continue to be available to State agencies under the proposed law.

Speaking during debate on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the House yesterday, Swaratsingh said the existing legislation requires public authorities to reproduce their annual statements through prescribed publication channels every year. He said that where a State authority already maintains an effective official website, publishing the information there could provide a permanent record while reducing administrative expenses.