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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Kihanya, </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">thanks for the background, some thoughts on some of the questions raised,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Right to verses freedom</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I think it should be freedom of information because in legal terms, the two terms are different.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Though am not a lawyer, I read about the positive rights (right to) and the negative rights (freedoms)</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Now, governments are quick to obey the negative rights as opposed to positive rights. For instance, we can all go and demonstrate about our freedom from torture or detention without trial and the government will easily heed to our demands, (I guess so)</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">But what about other recognized rights like the right to water? Can the government be compelled to honour our right to water,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">i think the main objective of the FOI should be to protect e-government and accountability but the bill talks about charging a minimal fee to those accessing information, what will happen to those people out of town, it talks about photocopying and perusal charges,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">but what about provision of such information in electronic format, do we still pay?? and will it serve the overall objective??</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">That’s my take on it</P><BR> </DIV>Rebecca Wanjiku,<BR>journalist,<BR>p.o box 33515, <BR>Nairobi.00600<BR>Kenya.<BR><BR>Tel. 254 720 318 925<BR><BR>blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/
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