Transparency & access to information in South Africa an evaluation of the promotion of access to information act 2 of 2000
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2007
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University of Cape Town
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This thesis focuses on the grant and promotion of transparency within the South Afri can legal system and the constitutionality of the Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (‘PAIA'). It draws upon the constitutional background regarding the constitutions of 1993 and 1996 and examines the PAIA against it. To be able to access information is crucial in many ways. It is a prerequisite to gain knowledge which can be defined as a systematically organized amount of information. Information extends the choices of action; furthermore, it constitutes an important factor in an economy. Within our globalised and IT-interlinked world information is as important as time or money. Nowadays, no one can afford to make uninformed choices in our often so called ‘information society'.1 The authority to distribute information forms a considerable factor of economic power. Whoever shares information also shares power. The possible area of conflicts is huge: Due to modern technology, information can be replicated without high costs and without loss of quality. It can be easily transmitted over vast distances within seconds via fax and email and also be made available to an unlimited number of people via websites. The share of information generally is irrevocable – once proliferated, information is hard to control. Furthermore, to ac quire proper information necessarily precedes any legal action.
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Roling, S. 2007. Transparency & access to information in South Africa an evaluation of the promotion of access to information act 2 of 2000. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Law ,Department of Public Law. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43265