New book Access to Information launches

[DURBAN, South Africa, 5 May 2016]  The Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) has since 9 March 2001 strived to give effect to our constitutional right of access to information held by the State, as well as information held by another person that is required for the exercise or protection of any right. This serves to foster a culture of transparency and accountability both in public and private bodies, contributing to an informed public and ultimately enhancing an open and democratic society. Published by LexisNexis South Africa, the new book Access to Information is a must-have guide for practitioners, as well as information officers, journalists, academics and students, around the right of access to information and the manner in which PAIA gives effect to this right.

Written by senior counsel, Ronée Robinson, the book concentrates on this right principally in South Africa with reference to the manner in which this right is protected in Germany, the UK, the USA, Canada, India and Australia.

It examines how the courts have interpreted the right of access to information and analyses PAIA in light of both the Interim Constitution and the Constitution, as well as in PAIA, 2 of 2000. 1.3. Case law up to mid-October is dealt with and the January 2016 amendments to PAIA are included.

In addition, the author considers legislation such as the Access to Information Act R.S.C. 1985 c.A-1; the Deutsche Grundgesetz of 1949; the Freedom of Information Act of 2000 in the UK; the United States Freedom of Information Act 5 U.S.C. 552, as well as international covenants such as the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union of 2000 and then the manner in which international bodies such as the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) have applied the relevant laws.