jablet

Not everything...all rights can be justifiable limited. You'll find a lot of RTI activists work in the area of privacy (and the preservation of privacy) too. As a flag though, a lot more can be open than you think and security and privacy still remain preserved.

Ma'am, but its a pleasure :)

Well, I'm in South Africa so I'm pretty awake. We've got partners all over the world and will be playing tag over the day to try and answer as many questions as we can. These issues are pretty relevant to people across the globe though #justsayin

This is where constitutional provisions have impact, though only at the level of litigation.Substantive interpretations of constitutional provisions (in the RSA ConCourt jurisdiction we talk about 'purposive interpretation') means that - at least that level - the spirit takes priority. But of course this is only possible at litigation level, though it does support a particular constitutional protection for the right of information, as opposed to an extension of the right of freedom of expression.

I think the war on terror has been an excuse to exploit people's fear to keep them suppressed in many parts of the world. This is in no way an attempt to downplay the real threat - particularly on the African continent too, we see the absolute magnitude of the destruction terrorism can reek in places like Northern Nigeria. However, there's just not enough evidence to suggest the broad-ranging clampdowns on access to information assist in mitigating against that threat (though I'd have to go with my standard lawyer caveat "it would depend on the facts of the case"). That said - not many freedom of info activists argue for an unlimited right - its just that the limits must be justifiable.

The youth question is particularly interesting to me - I have often cautioned people on a behavioural pattern I find super worrying, and that is the common practice of selling our "privacy" in exchange for "free" services online. I think it sets a dangerous precedent. When you think about it, isn't selling your personal information a MASSIVE cost for a service? Far greater than a few dollars?