A strong professional, responsible, independent, and public interest focused media; both online and liberty is critical in enhancing citizen involvement in governance, participation in democratic processes including elections and demanding for accountability from the government.
There is serious justification and acknowledgement that access information has great economic value for the county and counties, for it allows us to showcase our potential on the world map, which attracts economic dividends.
As shown, the media remains one of the most trusted institutions and reaches a great number of people in Kenya. Many Kenyans get information through the media in its various formats; online, radio, TV and print and engage robustly on national conversations through the same.
Basic tenets of all-inclusive societies require that people get information on ongoing processes so that they make a contribution-that’s why the government, public institutions and private entities that conduct business of public nature practice prior information disclosure to allow citizen engagement with relevant matters, otherwise a few people privy to such critical information take advantage of bursary opportunities, scholarships, tenders, grants, job opportunities, and related at the expense of others.
Being able to access information creates an important avenue for citizens to know and demand for their other rights.
The public ought to be fully aware that they have a right to demand access to information held by the State or other person and required for the exercise of their rights or fundamental freedoms.
This knowledge provides an important interlink to demand for other rights including their economic and social rights as spelt out under Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya.
Given the centrality of credible information to a professional media, advocates of professional media have pushed for a framework that facilitates the state pro-actively sharing information on public interest issues to enable citizen understanding and creating a critical mass that supports such public investment.
By the media accessing credible and timely information from public agencies, and providing a platform for debate, setting the national agenda, and framing of national public interest issues, citizens are able consume information that they can use to contribute to social change in their communities.
Access to information now entrenched in the Kenya constitution 2010 is very vital for the practice of investigative journalism in the country. Its role is very central, especially in the current debates about the content of some broadcast discussions on TV and radio and print publications.
Article 35 and the Access to information Act 2016 allows accessing all media, internet, art, academic writings, and information held by government; the right to use or to demand rights to health, to a clean environment, to truth and to justice
Public interest journalism will greatly benefit as media will greatly benefit and insulate itself from harassment including judicial processes through using the provisions in the access to information law.
As the world marks the international access to information day on 28th September 2023, the bigger realization that access to information is not just an anti-corruption law, but more importantly an enabling framework for the protection and promotion of fundamental human rights.
Equally, access to information of integrity will help both the media and public institutions mitigate negative effects of information manipulation, disinformation and misinformation, which are a big danger to democratic processes including elections and investment if mega national projects.
