The objectives of PAIA according to section 9 are to—
• | give effect to the constitutional right of access to information held by the state and any information that is held by another person that is required for the exercise or protection of any rights; |
• | give effect to the right of access to information; subject to justifiable limitations, including, but not limited to, limitations aimed at the reasonable protection of privacy, commercial confidentiality and effective, efficient and good governance; and in a manner which balances that right with any other rights, including the rights in the Bill of Rights in Chapter 2 of the Constitution; |
• | give effect to the constitutional obligations of the state of promoting a human rights culture and social justice; |
• | establish voluntary and mandatory mechanisms or procedures to give effect to the right of access to information in a manner which enables persons to obtain access to records of public and private bodies as swiftly, inexpensively and effortlessly as reasonably possible; and |
• | Promote transparency, accountability and effective governance of all public and private bodies. |