Your organisation needs an ongoing access to information programme to comply with its legal obligation to give people access to information. Access to Information (ATI) is one of the most important information rights people have in today’s society. While it is important for your organisation to protect information, it is equally important to make sure that there is a free flow of information. Data protection focuses on protecting personal information whereas access to information is a broader right, which enables people to access information held by both public and private bodies. The human right is enforced through the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). The main purposes of access to information are to:

  • encourage a culture of transparency and accountability in both public and private bodies, and
  • develop a society where people have effective access to information that can help them fully exercise and protect all their rights.

Information can empower a person to make informed decisions. Information should be accessible, to help people engage effectively and make informed decisions in society. As a public or private body, you know that you should give effect to this right but what do you do when you receive an access to information request?

Set up and run an effective access to information programme for your organisation on an ongoing basis by using this Michalsons Access to Information Programme as a blueprint.

This programme will guide you through various aspects related to access to information, and help you comply with access to information laws.

Who should join the access to information programme?

This programme is for all public bodies, and private bodies that have a high public interest score. It is for holders of information not requesters.

You should work through this programme if you are the:

  • information officer – the default information officer or the person appointed by your organisation to help them comply with access to information laws and empowered with the authority to do so when it comes to access to information requests in your organisation.
  • records manager – the person responsible for maintaining the records the organisation holds.
  • information governance officer – the person responsible for the governance of information in the organisation.
  • anyone else responsible for providing people with access to information in your organisation – such as key IT personnel, database administrator or anyone similar.

What are the outcomes of this access to information programme?

  • Understand how access to information law impacts your organisation.
  • Enable your organisation to manage access to information requests by considering various approaches.
  • Learn how to create a PAIA manual that properly captures the records your organisation holds and other related information.
  • Submit your annual PAIA report properly.
  • Be ready for a PAIA compliance assessment or PAIA enforcement notice from the information regulator.
  • Determine the role legal tech plays in your access to information procedures.
  • Stay up to date with the latest developments in access to information law.

Programme role players

John Giles
John Giles

John is the access to information programme director. John has been presenting on PAIA since 1999 and helping organisations comply with it because he believes that transparency leads to accountability, which has numerous benefits (including reducing corruption). Michalsons helps organisations to take practical action.  

He helps members filter out the noise and know what is important. He gives tours of the access to information programme and onboards new members.

Many of the Michalsons team are also instructors in this programme. They have areas of specific interest and are eagar to share their insights with you.

Emma Quiding
Emma Quiding

Emma Quiding is the programme facilitator. She helps the programme director run a programme that continually adds value to members. She keeps an eye on any interesting developments on the programme topic on an ongoing basis. Has someone been fined and how can members avoid a similar risk? Has an authority handed down a judgment on an issue that members can learn from? Has a law been updated and what is the impact? Is there a new law that creates regulatory requirements? Emma is up to date with all the developments

Why Michalsons?

  • We believe that the law should be accessible.
  • We have significant practical experience dealing with access to information and have spent over 20 years helping organisations comply with access to information laws.
  • We provided guidance and input on the Promotion of Access to Information Act.
  • We’ve drafted numerous PAIA manuals over the years.
  • We’ve guided many organisations through the process of responding to access requests.
  • We’ve presented on Access to Information at conferences for many years.
  • We understand the interplay between PAIA and POPIA.
  • We cover only those areas of access to information most relevant to you, saving you time and money.
  • We provide insight and simplify the issues, empowering you to work through the obligations yourself.

Table of modules for the Access to Information Programme

If you would like a detailed outline of the core modules of the programme, please fill in your details below and we’ll send it to you:

Subscription pricing for organisations

Small

R1480monthly
  • 1 – 49 Employees
Join

Medium

R3 025monthly
  • 50 – 249 Employees
Join

Large

R4 345 monthly
  • 250 – 999 Employees
Join

Enterprise

RPOAmonthly
  • +1000 Employees
Apply

For an unlimited number of users in your organisation. The prices listed include VAT (if applicable). We bill you monthly in advance. You may cancel your membership by notifying us in writing up to one day before we issue the next invoice. We offer this programme subject to our programme terms.

100% Money Back Guarantee

We will refund you if you do not think you received value.

If your organisation is already a member of another programme, we offer a 10% discount.

FAQ about the access to information programme

What happens after I join?

We will ask you for a list of the people who you would like to have access. We’ll help them receive our emails and send them an invitation by email to log in to the programme. We will then set up a programme onboarding session with those people to orientate them in the programme and get the most out of it.

How many people in my organisation can have access?

The subscription is per organisation. You can give access to an unlimited number of named users in your organisation (unless your quote or invoice specifies a number of users). Members of the programme often add about twenty people. For example, officers, managers and data champions. The programme is not for the executive or general employees.

How long will my organisation have access for?

You will have access for as long as your organisation continues to subscribe. Michalsons continuously updates the content as the law and best practices develop. Like physical fitness, compliance is a journey, and you always work towards being more fit. By remaining a member, we will support you on your ongoing journey, whether it’s dealing with complying with your obligations, updates to the law and other critical aspects.

What does the access to information programme NOT cover?

Find out what is excluded.

What if we still need help with specific questions we have?

You’re welcome to contact Michalsons at any time. We will try to answer where we can, and if there is significant research or work required we will provide you with a quote to do the work.

Tackle your compliance challenges now!