Access to Information Law a boost to Rwandan media

Editor, This is with reference to the article, “Right to information: Three-day deadline set for disclosure of data”, which was published in The New Times issue of October 23. I commend the Government of Rwanda for this important step which is designed to particularly help ease practicing journalism in our country. There are occasions when a journalist wants to do an extensive, well-researched article but they get frustrated along the way because of failure to access important information. This legislation will help make Rwandan journalists more competitive and their stories more interesting. If you’ve read articles in the western media, you might have noticed that most of the time they seem compelling just because the journalist was able to access vital information. If this law is applied and protected by the concerned bodies, Rwandan journalists will write have an opportunity to do comprehensive and well-informative stories. It will also help unlock their creative potential. And the law comes with so many other benefits that I can’t outline here. However, there is the issue of restricted information as spelled out in the relevant ministerial order. To avoid possible abuse, the government should be categorical as to which particular institutions should have the right to withhold specific information because of its sensitivity, especially with regard to national security. If not, if foresee a situation where some officials will deny journalists or other members of the public access to important information on the pretext of that theirs is sensitive information. Mutara Intore, Kigali

Opinions

Access to Information Law a boost to Rwandan media