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<BR><SPAN>Harry</SPAN><BR>
<SPAN>The right is worded in a way that guarantees every citizen access to information held by the state - in most cases it is the state that holds certan infromation like on census or statistics. The State has a monopoly in some cases - for example commissions and Inquiries - which historically in K<SPAN id=lw_1318928158_0 class=yshortcuts>enya,</SPAN> the state has at times witheld the findings of such commissions.</SPAN><BR>
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<SPAN>The right extends to getting information held by another person, which is useful for a person to exercise his/her fundamental rights and freedoms. </SPAN><BR>
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<SPAN>I am sure there are other views out there.</SPAN><BR>
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<SPAN>Rgds</SPAN><BR>
<SPAN>Grace</SPAN><BR>
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<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff; FONT-FAMILY: bookman old style, new york, times, serif; COLOR: #000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt" id=yui_3_2_0_1_13189260283287886><BR> <BR>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth and rule the World!<BR><BR> </DIV></DIV></DIV>
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From: harry@comtelsys.co.ke<BR>To: kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke<BR>CC: ggithaiga@hotmail.com<BR>Subject: RE: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws/ e- discussion continued<BR>Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:10:31 +0300<BR><BR>
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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>Hey Grace & Kerubo,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>Thanks for your summary overview. I wonder aloud whether it should only be the state that maintains this monopoly over </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>accessibility to basic </FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>information in as far as "<STRONG>Freedom </STRONG>of information" is concerned.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>Whereas state has the instruments it can use to either promote or curtail such freedoms, I suppose it would also be safe </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>to say that in quite a number of </FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>instances, state might be deemed a "lame duck". </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>How about a remote Island sequestered somewhere, about 200 miles off the shores of Lake Victoria with no basic </FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>access </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>to </FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>communication?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>Would the populace there's lack thereof, of basic information access be considered an infringement on this fundamental</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>right/liberty by the state...?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=ecx750221805-18102011><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>Harry</FONT></SPAN></DIV><BR>
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<FONT face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Grace Githaiga<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, October 18, 2011 12:57 AM<BR><B>To:</B> harry@comtelsys.co.ke<BR><B>Cc:</B> kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke<BR><B>Subject:</B> [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws/ e- discussion continued<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr>Thanks Harry Delano, Washington, Cleophas and Kerubo. <BR> <BR>Harry you raise a good question on what these terms mean and whether they are interchangeable. <BR> <BR>Washington, you make an important point about freedom of expression/speech not being absolute, and Cleophas affirms your point. <BR> <BR>Thanks Kerubo for the definitions. Yes, freedom of information simply means the freedom to get certain basic information held by the state, which can enable one to for example bring a case of human rights violation or any other cause. <BR> <BR>Freedom of expression can mean many things, say freedom to air your ideas, take a stand, artistic creativity--simply freedom to express how you feel. And of course as Washington and Cleophas rightly point out, all these freedoms are subject to limitations and therefore not carte blanche. <BR> <BR>In this case then:<BR>
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<LI>Is there conflict between laws on freedom of information and what citizens demand/require?</LI></UL> <BR>Lets hear it from you.<BR> <BR>Rgds<BR>Grace<BR></DIV></DIV> </div></body>
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