Media freedom plays a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accountability within the judicial system.

This is the view of former Ombudsman John Walters, who stressed that legal frameworks such as the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of speech protects journalists' rights to cover court proceedings, which is essential for upholding democracy.

Speaking during an episode of NBC's Wheels of Justice, Walters said courts should be accessible to the media and the public, as it helps prevent corruption and ensures judicial decisions are subject to public oversight.

"The public have a right to see justice, to observe justice, not only to hear it. And they must also see how the courts dispense justice. If open justice is the soul of justice, or if publicity is the soul of justice, I just want to add to that, as I said, that information is the currency of transparency."

Walters further stated that institutions should be prepared for when the Access to Information Law is implemented.

Former Media Ombudsman John Nakuta said the Access to Information Act should be implemented to enhance transparency and accountability.

The bill has been passed and signed into law, but it is still not fully operationalised.

"These are some of the laws that can serve as tools to help institutions like the intelligence agencies to do what human rights actually requires them to do. But of course, we've got the judges that have shown that they are not going to shy away from their responsibility to uphold the rights and freedoms of the people and to perform the democratic function that they have in terms of our constitution."