Access to Information
No. 31 of 2016
The object and purpose of this Act is to—
(a) give effect to the right of access to information by citizens as provided
under Article 35 of the Constitution;
(b) provide a framework for public entities and private bodies to
proactively disclose information that they hold and to provide
information on request in line with the constitutional principles;
(c) provide a framework to facilitate access to information held by private
bodies in compliance with any right protected by the Constitution and
any other law;
(d) promote routine and systematic information disclosure by public
entities and private bodies on constitutional principles relating to
accountability, transparency and public participation and access to
information;
(e) provide for the protection of persons who disclose information of
public interest in good faith; and
(f) provide a framework to facilitate public education on the right to
access information under this Act.
PART II — RIGHT TO INFORMATION
4. Right to information
(1) Subject to this Act and any other written law, every citizen has the right of
access to information held by—
(a) the State; and
(b) another person and where that information is required for the exercise
or protection of any right or fundamental freedom.
(2) Subject to this Act, every citizen's right to access information is not affected
by—
(a) any reason the person gives for seeking access; or
(b) the public entity's belief as to what are the person's reasons for
seeking access.
(3) Access to information held by a public entity or a private body shall be
provided expeditiously at a reasonable cost.
(4) This Act shall be interpreted and applied on the basis of a duty to disclose
and non-disclosure shall be permitted only in circumstances exempted under
section 6.
(5) Nothing in this Act shall limit the requirement imposed under this Act or any
other written law on a public entity or a private body to disclose information.
5. Disclosure of information by public entities
(1) Subject to section 6, a public entity shall—
(a) facilitate access to information held by such entity and which
information may include—
(i) the particulars of its organization, functions and duties;
(ii) the powers and duties of its officers and employees;
(iii) the procedure followed in the decision making process,
including channels of supervision and accountability;
(iv) salary scales of its officers by grade;