Dear Kerubo, This is an excellent discussions and the duty bearer here is the state. Access to information cannot succeed unless the Government takes the initiative in ensuring the development of the legislation and ensuring its implementation. Maybe we can borrow from the Platform on Access to Information declaration which was launched in Cape Town s( see attached) and a number of media personalities in Kenya were part of it. Rosemary Okello Orlale Executive Director African Woman and Child Feature Service P.O.BOx 48197 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 254-20-2724756,2720554 Fax: 254-20-2718469 Website: <http://www.awcfs.org/> www.awcfs.org Description: AWC logo From: kictanet-bounces+rookello=awcfs.org@lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+rookello=awcfs.org@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Kerubo Ombati Sent: 18 October 2011 12:35 To: rookello@awcfs.org Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws/ e- discussion continued Hi Listers, Harry, the 'Freedom of Information' clause in the constitution is designed to give citizens free access to public information held by the state,it generally does not impose a positive obligation on the state to impart such information on the individual. However,in certain instances, failure to provide the information to an individual can be considered to constitute an interference with their private rights and a breach of the state's human rights obligations. Although, freedom of information legislation is reluctant to impose a positive obligation on the state,the considered view as adopted is that the freedom of information legislation should impose a duty on the state to impart information to the public. Regards, Kerubo On Tue, Oct 18, 2011 at 10:10 AM, Harry Delano <harry@comtelsys.co.ke> wrote: Hey Grace & Kerubo, Thanks for your summary overview. I wonder aloud whether it should only be the state that maintains this monopoly over accessibility to basic information in as far as "Freedom of information" is concerned. Whereas state has the instruments it can use to either promote or curtail such freedoms, I suppose it would also be safe to say that in quite a number of instances, state might be deemed a "lame duck". How about a remote Island sequestered somewhere, about 200 miles off the shores of Lake Victoria with no basic access to communication? Would the populace there's lack thereof, of basic information access be considered an infringement on this fundamental right/liberty by the state...? Harry _____ From: kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry <mailto:kictanet-bounces%2Bharry> =comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Grace Githaiga Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 12 <tel:2011%2012> :57 AM To: harry@comtelsys.co.ke Cc: kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke Subject: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws/ e- discussion continued Thanks Harry Delano, Washington, Cleophas and Kerubo. Harry you raise a good question on what these terms mean and whether they are interchangeable. Washington, you make an important point about freedom of expression/speech not being absolute, and Cleophas affirms your point. Thanks Kerubo for the definitions. Yes, freedom of information simply means the freedom to get certain basic information held by the state, which can enable one to for example bring a case of human rights violation or any other cause. Freedom of expression can mean many things, say freedom to air your ideas, take a stand, artistic creativity--simply freedom to express how you feel. And of course as Washington and Cleophas rightly point out, all these freedoms are subject to limitations and therefore not carte blanche. In this case then: * Is there conflict between laws on freedom of information and what citizens demand/require? Lets hear it from you. Rgds Grace _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kaykerubo%40gmail.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
