The Royal Gazette has today launched a campaign calling for the doors on Government secrecy to be opened.

The campaign comes in part due to frustration over the difficulties this newspaper, and the media generally, have in getting information of public importance.

But it is also, and more importantly, being launched on behalf of the general public, who have a right to know how decisions are made and money is spent on their behalf.

The call for the enactment of Public Access to Information or freedom of information legislation is not new.

Many countries around the world already have robust laws guaranteeing public access, including jurisdictions like Bermuda's fellow Overseas Territory, the Cayman Islands.

And the idea has been discussed in Bermuda for decades, finally gaining real momentum under former Premier Alex Scott, who tabled a comprehensive green paper on the subject in 2005 and most likely would have seen the legislation through had he not been forced out of the PLP leadership by the end of 2006.

Mr. Scott has already thrown his support behind The Royal Gazette's campaign, as has former United Bermuda Party Leader Dr. Grant Gibbons, along with a host of other community leaders who recognise the benefits of open access to information.

It is important to note that this campaign is non-partisan. There is no intention to embarrass any public figure or to "play politics".

This is simply an idea whose time has come. The media would not be the sole beneficiary of public access to information. As the stories we publish today and in the coming days show, the greatest benefit attaches to the ordinary person, who would now have the right to see information about his or her life which has been kept secret.

If there is any advantage to be had from the delay in this legislation coming into force, it is that Bermuda still has the opportunity to learn from other countries' successes and failures.

To a great extent, that was already done by the Central Policy Unit under Mr. Scott and Assistant Cabinet Secretary Warren Jones' direction in 2005. But any more lessons that can be learned can still be applied.

That should not be an excuse for delay, however. It would be a crowning accomplishment for this Government if it could enact this legislation quickly.

That will only happen if Bermudians from all backgrounds come together to call for it. This newspaper urges you to get in contact with us to add your support.

But you can also lobby your MPs, speak to your friends, think about whether there are questions that you have wanted answered but have been refused, or quite possibly have not known where to look.

We want to know your questions, and we want to know if you support this campaign ¿ and even if you don't.

Give us your views and questions and we will make them public. Support this campaign and truly make Bermuda an open society.