31 August 2010
Statement on Secrecy Bill by Right2Know Campaign (Click here)
Over 180 civil society organisations and numerous prominent individuals have endorsed a civil society statement titled 'Let the Truth Be Told! Stop the Secrecy Bill'. The statement characterizes the Protection of Information Bill as fundamentally undermining the struggle for whistleblower protection and access to information and as reminiscent of our apartheid past. The statement calls for a redrafting of the Bill to comply with the constitutional values of access to information and freedom of expression.
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27 August 2010
ODAC has warmly welcomed the comments of COSATU on the Secrecy Bill. COSATU have call for the Bill to be withdrawn and redrafted.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions held a scheduled meeting of its Central Executive Committee (CEC) from 23-25 August 2010, attended by National Office Bearers, the leadership of affiliated unions and provincial structures.
After that meeting they announced that “The federation however cannot support this bill and has made written and oral submissions to the Ad Hoc Committee considering the Bill in Parliament.” Their concerns include the wide definition of “national interest”, which is a ground for classification, the classification of information which extends beyond what us strictly necessary for the purposes of safety and security, and no appeal mechanism.
Additional problematic responsibilities may be imposed on trade union representatives who would be obliged to report a worker (or return classified information) where such a worker seeks advice about possible irregularities affecting a classified matter. This could make whistle blowing far more dangerous.
“We welcome these comments from COSATU, which pin point some of the worst excesses of the Bill. Withdrawal of the Bill is entirely appropriate, and we call for it to be referred to a task team who can draft constitutional laws, and supplement the capacity of the Ministry in this regard”, warned Alison Tilley.
For more Info contact Zanele Ntuli on 021 461 3096 or 072 997 3262.
ODAC - Leading the Campaign for the Right to Know
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The article first appeared in the THE STAR 20 August 2010
By Mukelani Dimba
The administration for SA's success as a young democracy is about to turn into disappointment, writes Mukelani Dimba.
I've BEEN privileged to do the work that I do across the African continent. My travels have taken me to all four corners of Africa, from pen-urban and rural settlements Ng'ombe and Shangombe in Zambia, to the lush and green villages of Bigwa in Tanzania, to the stately and palatial homes of Abuja in Nigeria and the war-ravished streets of Freetown in Sierra Leone, to name just a few.
Throughout these travels I'm amazed at how much Africans in all walks of life look at post-apartheid South Africa as their own crowning glory, the product of their solidarity and sacrifice.
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The article first appeared in the Pretoria News 20 August 2010 (Click Here)
by Mukelani Dimba
President Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the US, did not mince his words when he addressed delegates meeting in Accra, Ghana, to chart the way forward in promoting the right to information on the African continent. "Only crooks would be scared of transparency," he said.
Those words got roaring applause from the audience - government ministers, civil society groups and media delegates from 15 African countries.
His remarks, rooted in southern (he's from Georgia) forthrightness, were meant to shake the delegates from their slumber and spur them on to promote better access to information practices and transparency in state affairs in Africa.
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20 August 2010
The Bill says its aim is to regulate how valuable state information is handled and protected, so that it is not lost, destroyed, altered or given to the wrong people. It provides ways to classify and declassify information, and establishes a database of declassified information for the public. It also makes it criminal to spy on South Africa.(sec 4 and sec 2)
The general principles the Bill says it adheres to are (sec 6):
- Access to information is a basic human right, and promotes dignity, freedom and equality, and accessible information is the basis of a transparent, open and democratic society. The free flow of information can promote safety and security.
- Some confidentiality and secrecy is necessary, but measures should not infringe unduly on individual rights or liberties.
- Measures must take into regard the constitution, and consistent with our international obligations.
More...Download the Plain Language full version of the Information Bill
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