Media Monitoring Africa

PAIA Reform

PAIA Reform

The importance of the right of access to information cannot be disputed. The right gives meaning to the constitutional values of accountability, responsiveness and openness, and enables the public to seek transparency from both public and private sector actors. It is both an important right in itself, as well as an enabler of the full range of fundamental rights. However, 21 years after the then ground-breaking enactment of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA), it is apparent that there is an urgent need to reform PAIA to make it useful and effective in the digital era. As such, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and likeminded organisations, supported by access to information activists and legal experts, have embarked on a process to draft proposed amendments to PAIA in an effort to ensure that PAIA meaningfully realises the right of access to information in a timely and effective manner. The proposed amendments draw on the work by the South African Human Rights Commission, our courts and civil society actors in identifying the shortcomings and pitfalls that currently exist in the provisions and implementation of PAIA. DOWNLOADS If you would like to submit your comments or get involved in further consultations on the draft PAIA Amendment Bill, send an email to paia@mma.org.za