THERE are many fine words in the strategy report by the former information director at the Ministry of Justice:

• ‘Access to public information is a fundamental aspect of a democratic society’;
• ‘Managing information well to increase transparency will enhance Guernsey’s global reputation in line with its strategic aims’; and
• ‘The domestic benefits to increased openness are better informed and more knowledgeable residents, whose scrutiny and engagement drive better decision-making’.

For those who believe in such values, the report is an uplifting read full of hope and expectation.

Were its ideals enshrined in government it would be a step change towards greater transparency and accountability that this island badly needs.

However, there are many potholes to be avoided not marked on this roadmap to a brighter world. Ahead lies a series of decisions by States members and civil servants, each of which will determine whether the final destination is reached.

For those deputies with less interest in openness – and it was interesting that only one, Matt Fallaize, is listed as consulted – there will be all too many opportunities to water down the proposals and keep the lid on all this dangerous freedom of information nonsense.

It starts with the Assembly’s ability and willingness to create a States information strategy acceptable to all, yet still true to the principles of openness and transparency.

Even the report’s author accepts that it is a challenge to get the balance right between what should be released into the public domain.

It does not mean a ‘free for all’ as issues of national security or international relations must be taken into account. The grey areas will come around the rather looser issues of ‘where disclosure would otherwise harm good government’. It is at that stage that deputies will disagree.

Where the report is certain is that departments should no longer have the ability to keep secret information simply because it is embarrassing.

If that principle alone can survive this process, islanders can hold out real hope of finding the holy grail of democracy: genuine accountability.