“It would permit any organ of state, or any subordinate staff member so authorised, to classify information to prevent its disclosure,” said Pringle. “We recognise the need for restricting access to information in matters of national security, but we believe that the existing restrictions laid out in the Promotion of Access to Information Act are adequate in this regard.” Agri EC feels that granting “such wide discretionary powers to organs of state” will entrench corruption in the civil service.
