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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">It may be presumed that the main object of the FOI was to improve accountability and flow of information as well as answer critics who have complained about govt red tape and lack of information from the govt.</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">Govt spokesperson Alfred Mutua will also tout it as a remedy to those journalists peddling rumours and defending themselves by saying “govt officials were not available for comment or could not release the information”</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">But a cursory glance at the bill will reveal that it does not make special exemptions for journalists who in many cases need this government information. For instance, the bill provides that requests for information shall be dealt with within 15 days and if 30 days lapse without any response, then it shall be deemed the info was denied.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">How many newspapers can wait for 15 days before publishing a story or verifying derived from investigative work??</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Are there any journalists in the house????</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Can you champion your cause???</P></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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