Freedom of access to information in Fiji : the effect of cultural values on the attitudes and behaviour of library staff

Abstract

This research used a quantitative approach, in the form of survey questionnaires, to assess the effect of cultural values on the professional attitudes and resultant behaviour of library staff in Fiji towards the principle of freedom of access to information. Besides this, employment position and citizenship status of library staff were evaluated as contributing variables. The design of survey questionnaires, utilising Likert-type scales, incorporated findings from the literature review. These survey forms were distributed, through postal delivery, to a purposively selected sample. The research contributes to the knowledge base on aspects of intellectual freedom that primarily concern freedom of access to information in the less developed country of Fiji. The results provide immediate implications for understanding the reasoning behind the application of free access to information in the cultural context of Fiji, and allow initial comparison with research results of similar foci from developed countries. The research revealed similar findings as those from developed countries, in that a discrepancy exists between the attitudes of library staff towards freedom of access to information as a professional concept and their behaviour towards this philosophy as an activity. The study also showed that while there is general agreement of the principle, operationalising it necessarily involves a consideration of existing community values and standards.