SECTOR 1 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator. 3 Country meets many aspects of indicator but progress may be too recent to judge. 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has been doing so over time. Average score: 1.0 (2005=1.0; 2007=1.7) 1.8 Public information is easily guaranteed by law, to all citizens. accessible, Analysis In practice public information (i.e. information in possession of the state to which the public should have access as it is in the public interest) is difficult to access by journalists and the general public. Public information is restricted by the structure and procedures in the public service, where a Permanent Secretary [Official in a ministry is the only spokesman of the ministry, and yet s/ Government he is not accessible, and is at liberty as to what information can be provided. The office of the Official Government Spokesman Spokesperson]… was established in 2003, “to effectively facilitate communication turned out to be between the Government, its citizens and global audiences”. “Government However, from observations of its performance, it has turned out to be a public relations machinery, a virtual “Government spin-doctor spin-doctor for official disinformation”. Restriction of public for official information is reinforced by the culture of secrecy in the public disinformation” service, based on Official Secrets Act (Chapter 187). The Act places a responsibility of non-disclosure of information on all government officials and any other person who may come across such information. Civil servants are required to take an oath of secrecy under the Act. The Freedom of Information Draft Bill 2008 seeks to respond and address such concerns. 18 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2009