Abstract
Purpose – To argue that developing countries in the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) region should embrace the concept of freedom of information to enable better human rights
and economic development.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the current situation through discussion of
current legislation and proposed policies.
Findings – Whereas several theories abound as to why there has been little development in sub-
Saharan Africa, this paper discusses the status of freedom of information legislations within the
SADC region and the implications for accountability and transparency in the management of public
resources.
Research limitations/implications – The paper suggests the importance of further research into
the importance of freedom of information legislation for economic and human rights development.
Practical implications – The paper has practical implication for those considering the potential of
freedom of information legislation in developing countries.
Originality/value – Freedom of information has largely taken a back seat amidst several social,
economic and political reforms that have been instituted collectively or by individual countries. It is
the view of this paper that freedom of information provides an important link for the economic, social and political reform initiatives