By Lauryn M’banga

The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has expressed concern over the tendency of some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of withholding public information.

In a statement signed by MHRC chairperson, Scader Louis, the commission says it has observed the prevailing culture of government MDAs withholding important public information, a development which leads to the spreading of fake information and false speculations in the country.

Louis said access to information is a human right as such she has asked public institutions to be exemplary in adhering to the provisions of the laws and ensure that the public is well informed of important developments at all times.

She further said that the public has the right to request and access public information from any public institution, Non-Governmental Organization and any relevant body by following procedures set out in Access to Information (ATI) Act 2017 and ATI 2021 regulation, however, in an event that the request is denied, the information seeker has the right to appeal to the Access of Information Committee at the Malawi Human Rights Commission.

On the same, the commission has warned information seekers that the misuse of disclosed information for unlawful purposes thus for reasons other than for those which a request for information was made without any authorization of the information holder, is a crime under sections 51 to 54 of the Access to Information Act.

The commission has since reminded the general public, civil society organizations, public institutions and relevant bodies of their duty in making sure that information is available to the general public at all times.