Information commissioner Gitanjali Gutierrez will take part in a live online question and answer session with The Royal Gazette this morning and she is urging the public to log on and get involved.

Ms Gutierrez proposed the real time discussion to mark International Right to Know Day 2015, which was celebrated on the Island for the first time on Monday, and to promote Bermuda’s Public Access to Information Act (Pati).

“It is exciting to be part of a new format for engaging with the public,” she told this newspaper.

“The live chat gives us a chance to interact together rather than just listening to someone talk about the new rights under the Pati Act.

“I’m looking forward to the questions.

“When people ask about the things that are important to them, the Pati Act becomes less abstract.

“The Pati Act is really a concrete and effective tool that changes the relationship between the public and decision-makers in public authorities.

“During the live chat, we can talk about how this new right can improve people’s lives and strengthen decision-making in the public sector.”

Ms Gutierrez became the Island’s first information commissioner in March and the Pati Act was enacted on April 1.

The freedom of information legislation allows the public to request the disclosure of all kinds of records from about 220 public authorities, including government departments and ministries, statutory boards, quangos and the police. It gives Bermudians and Bermuda residents the right to appeal if their requests are turned down.

The independent commissioner’s job is to hear, investigate and rule on appeals, as well as promote the public’s awareness of their rights under the legislation and give general guidance about and oversight of public authorities’ responsibilities under the Act.

The Q & A will start at www.royalgazette.com at 10am today. To take part, simply click on the advert on the front page of our website and post your question. You can also post a question by using the hashtag #livepatiQandA on Twitter.