Access to Information Law will benefit all

Editor,I read the article “Access to Information Law a progressive move, experts say” (The New Times, November 7) and was happy to learn that public officials are “obliged to release unrestricted information to the general public and journalists in particular.”That’s a good move that will not only greatly facilitate journalists but also researchers and the general public. I’m glad that the law isn’t exclusive to journalists only, but open to the general public.This means that independent and unaffiliated bloggers will benefit as well.You can have creative and social stories even without necessarily being a registered journalist. I’ve seen many individuals around the world that started their own TVs on YouTube. I’ve watched many of them and I bet many conservative TV channels cannot beat them when it comes to producing content that is needed by the people.The new law (if respective bodies really commit themselves to ensuring its implementation) will help Rwandans in various fields, and will also boost the socio-economic status of the creative ones.With the 4G LTE right on our doorsteps, we are going to see YouTube TVs mushrooming every day.Local vernacular newspapers should particularly make the most of this legislation. Reading their stories, you wonder whether they ever talk to sources before publishing whatever they publish. I suspect sometimes it’s because the latter probably refuse to give them information. However, with the Access to Information Law now in place, we hope they will soon up their game.The law also emphasises the Government of Rwanda’s incessant commitments to make sure and safeguard editorial independence of media organisations.Mutara Intore, Kigali

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Access to Information Law will benefit all