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Media Statement: SAHRC and the Information Regulator celebrate Universal Access to Information Day
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 27 September 2017
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and South Africa’s new Information Regulator are set to celebrate Universal Access to Information Day on Thursday, 28 September from 10am – 1pm at the Sunnyside Park Hotel, Johannesburg. The Open Democracy Advice Centre, a non-governmental organisation, is a part of these celebrations. Freedom of information is a fundamental right in South Africa, and a right on which transparency, accountability, public participation and the realisation of other rights are heavily dependent.
Tuesday, 27 September 2017
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and South Africa’s new Information Regulator are set to celebrate Universal Access to Information Day on Thursday, 28 September from 10am – 1pm at the Sunnyside Park Hotel, Johannesburg. The Open Democracy Advice Centre, a non-governmental organisation, is a part of these celebrations. Freedom of information is a fundamental right in South Africa, and a right on which transparency, accountability, public participation and the realisation of other rights are heavily dependent.
Both public and private bodies will share experiences, successes and challenges in realising the right of access to information. The Information Regulator and Chair of the African Commission on People and Human Rights, Advocate Pansy Tlakula, will champion the right to access information and the protection of personal information in the future. The mandate, created in terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act will see the SAHRC handover its access to information mandate to the Information Regulator. This event will also establish a multi-stakeholder network for assistance and benchmarking of best practices to improve implementation on public access to information in the public and private sector. Both Adv Tlakula and Commissioner Angie Makwetla of the SAHRC will open the event.
Ends
Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission
SAHRC Spokesperson: Gail Smith. Contact: 060 988 3792, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SAHRC Communications Co-ordinator: Gushwell Brooks, Contact: 082 645 8573, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About us
Understanding PAIA
The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.
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011 877 3600 (Switchboard)