Understanding and promoting the right of public access to government-held information in the Republic of South Africa

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	Understanding and promoting the right of public access to government-held information in the Republic of South Africa
Author:	Singh, Danny
Year:	1999
Periodical:	Politeia: Journal for Political Science and Public Administration
Volume:	18
Issue:	3
Pages:	68-80
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	rule of law administrative law access to information
Abstract:	The government of South Africa has accepted that public access to government-held information is an indispensable prerequisite for a democratic State pursuing the values of accountability, transparency, openness and responsiveness in the affairs of government bodies. This article deals with the conflicting claims of access to information versus the need for secrecy and the concomitant right to privacy, and discusses developments in the Republic of South Africa with particular reference to existing and proposed legislation and policy instruments for facilitating the right of public access to government-held information. This right is enshrined and guaranteed in the 1996 Constitution. Other relevant documents and proposals are the Open Democracy Bill, 1998, and the White Papers on Reconstruction and Development, 1994, on the Transformation of the Public Service, 1995, on transforming Public Service Delivery, 1997, and on Local Government, 1998. Bibliogr., note, sum.