. Purpose of the Act:
The Freedom of Information Act, 2020 seeks to enhance public access to information held by public and private entities in Zimbabwe. The Act aims to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance by ensuring that citizens can obtain information necessary for public accountability or for exercising and protecting their rights.
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Commencement Date:
The Act came into effect on 1 July 2020.
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Objectives of the Act:
Access to Information: The Act provides mechanisms for citizens to request access to information held by public and private entities, promoting transparency and accountability.
Rights to Correction: It ensures that individuals have the right to request corrections to information held by public entities if it is inaccurate.
Public Accountability: The Act seeks to promote effective governance by making information available to the public, thus supporting informed public participation and oversight.
4. Support for Digital Rights:
The Freedom of Information Act, 2020 supports digital rights in several ways:
Access to Digital Information: The Act covers information in various forms, including digital records, and mandates public entities to provide access to information in electronic formats when requested. This supports the right to access digital data and information stored or processed by government and private entities.
Transparency and Accountability in Digital Governance: By providing a legal framework for access to digital information, the Act promotes transparency and accountability in how digital platforms, services, and databases are managed by the government.
Protection of Personal Data: The Act includes provisions for protecting personal information, ensuring that digital records containing sensitive personal data are handled with care and disclosed only when legally permissible.
Appeals and Remedies: The Act provides mechanisms for appealing refusals of access to digital information, ensuring that citizens can challenge decisions that infringe on their digital rights.
Overall, the Freedom of Information Act, 2020 plays a crucial role in upholding digital rights by ensuring access to and protection of digital information while fostering an environment of transparency and accountability in Zimbabwe.