Freedom of information: problems, prospects and lessons: the South African experience

Abstract

The growing sense that governments are becoming more secretive in response to the threat of terrorism means that citizens as requesters of information call upon records professionals to assist in making governments more open to the need for information. Information professionals can use the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to demonstrate the need for greater transparency to support freedom of information core principles of good governance, participative democracy, and individual self-determination (protection of privacy, access to personal information), and to ensure that information is seen as a socio-economic resource which has positive spin-off for economic development. The South African History Archive (SAHA) has undertaken fieldwork from which lessons can be learned of the difficulties and challenges of balancing an access to information regime with proper implementation strategies. This article aims to look at the South African access to information regime and the challenges that have prevented effective access to information in South Africa as experienced by SAHA. It argues for greater participation by records professionals in striving for greater transparency.

Keywords: access to information, freedom of information legislation, South Africa, South African History Archive

ESARBICA Journal Vol. 24 2005: 58-62