FOI violations: IPC seeks sanctions’ review for public officials

The International Press Centre advocates for reviewing sanctions under the Freedom of Information Act, arguing that current penalties are insufficient to combat the deliberate withholding of records by public officials. This push for legislative reform highlights the urgent need to strengthen accountability mechanisms, ensuring that access to information remains a fundamental pillar of democratic governance rather than an optional privilege for those in power. A critical aspect of this proposed overhaul involves modernizing reporting and compliance standards to include all government entities in annual scrutiny. Furthermore, the update seeks to mandate adequate budgetary resources for ministries and agencies, enabling them to fulfill their legal obligations regarding capacity building and information management effectively. This development is highly relevant to open data advocates because it addresses the systemic barriers preventing the free flow of public information. By pushing for universal application of the Act across all government levels and demanding institutional support for compliance, the initiative aims to create a more transparent environment where data is routinely available to the public, thereby enhancing civic engagement and institutional trust.

Source: quicknews-africa.net
Published on 2025-10-15

FOI violations: IPC seeks sanctions’ review for public officials

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