In light of recent debates around the freedom of information in India, consider the following statements: Right to information is ingrained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. World Press Freedom day is celebrated annually on the 3rd of March. International Day for Universal Access to Information is on 28th of September. Sustainable Development Goals has public access to information as one of the targets. Which of the above statements are correct? Select the correct option:

1 and 4
1 and 2
1, 3 and 4
All of the above

The correct answer is D. All of the above.

The right to information is ingrained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 19 of the UDHR states that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

World Press Freedom day is celebrated annually on the 3rd of March. This day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1993 to “commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a landmark statement of press freedom principles adopted by African journalists in 1991.”

International Day for Universal Access to Information is on 28th of September. This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to “promote the importance of access to information as a fundamental human right and a key enabler of the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Sustainable Development Goals has public access to information as one of the targets. Goal 16 of the SDGs is to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” Target 16.10 of this goal is to “ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.”

In conclusion, all of the statements in the question are correct.