Freedom of Information (b) a public commercial entity; whose duty it is to create, keep, organise and maintain information on behalf of the entity; “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Zimbabwe Media Commission; “third party”, in relation to a request for access to information, means any person, group of persons or organisation other than the person who made the request; “trade secret” means information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, programme, device, product, method, technique or process, that is used, or may be used, in business or for any commercial advantage and— (a) derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to the public or to other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (b) is the subject of reasonable efforts to prevent it from becoming generally known; and (c) the disclosure of which would result in harm or improper benefit. 3 5 10 15 Objects of Act The objects of this Act are— (a) to give effect to the right of access to information in accordance with the Constitution; and (b) to establish voluntary and mandatory mechanisms or procedures to give effect to the right of access to information so as to facilitate swift, inexpensive and simple access to information; and (c) to promote transparency, accountability and effective governance by taking any steps necessary to— (i) educate or inform the public of their rights in terms of this Act; and (ii) ensure that appropriate assistance is afforded to members of the public seeking to exercise their right of access to information in order to facilitate the exercise of the right. PART II 20 25 30 Access to Information 4 Duty to create, keep, organise and maintain information Every responsible person or holder of a statutory office shall cause to be created, kept, organised and maintained information— (a) in the interests of public accountability; or (b) in the exercise or protection of a right. 5 Duty to disclose information Subject to this Act, every public entity, public commercial entity or holder of a statutory office shall have a written information disclosure policy through which it discloses information in the interests of public accountability or that is required for the exercise or protection of a right. 6 35 Act not to apply to certain public entities and persons This Act does not apply to information relating to— 6 40