By Paidashe Mandivengerei
Young Journalists Association of Zimbabwe (YOJA) has hailed the Freedom of Information Act gazetted in July 2020 for making access to information from public, private and commercial entities easier.
The Freedom of Information Act repealed and replaced the draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) that violated constitutional rights.
With the new act every person, Zimbabwean or non-Zimbabwean can request information from private, public, and commercial entities and it has to be availed within 48 hours.
In an interview with Bustop TV, YOJA spokesperson, Leopold Munhende said the act which is vital in the digital age curbs the issue of entities withholding information using the repealed AIPPA.
“The Act makes it easier for journalists to access information that has for so long been hidden from the public.
“Government and other officials who held information had in the past been using AIPPA to hinder this and the Act ensures that we get that information upon request.
“It goes a step further to compel privately owned companies that hold public information to share it upon request and in this digital age that is key,” he said.
Munhende added that the Freedom of Information Act goes a long way in assisting budding journalists access information unlike before where only their well-connected colleagues could get it.
“There are private entities such as mobile network operators who have to be held accountable to the public because of the information they have.
“For young journalists, this makes their entry into the profession much easier unlike in the past where we knew this information was only for the well sourced. We hope to see young journalists taking advantage of it to make a name, upon failure we want to see court challenges to set precedence.”
