In what appeared too true to be true, Zambia has assented and enacted the Freedom of Information Bill into law, more than 20 years since the campaigners kick-stated the lobby to have the freedom to report-truthfully-factually. Over the years, various players including the Law Association of Zambia, various living and deceased
Tag: Zambia
Zambia nods ATI as campaigners lie in wait for enactment
After a 21-year-lull, advocates for the access to Information Bill can now sigh with relief after the Zambian Government committed to pushing the much heralded pledge into law-enhancing press and citizen’s unwavering freedom to information amid misinformation, disinformation and the emerging digital media. Zambia’s cabinet had during a meeting it held
ATI law in Zambia, a mystery?
Interest groups in Zambia have dropped their ' 'chins in disbelief'' by the authorities’ delay to enact the much touted Access to Information Bill into law, 21-years-after-a harsh reality on press freedom and abrogation of civil liberties of the citizens. Zambia’s fight for a law to provide latitude for citizens to
Zambia’s CSOs irked by belated ATI enactment
The Civil Society in Zambia have raised eyebrows over delays by the Zambia’s Government to enact the Access to Information Bill into law as it impedes media and public freedoms, a key tenet in a democracy. The 24-member coalition argues that despite repeated assurances by the ruling United Party for National
Zambian media divided over media council act
Media bodies in Zambia are divided over the proposed Zambia Media Council Act, 2021 Bill seeking to regulate their mode of operation amid concerns by government of escalating ‘fake news’ and other shortcomings inimical to the profession and violate citizens’ rights. Calls for regulations of the media practitioners have mounted in
Zambia looks back to Cyber Act: Mutati
It came hastily barely months before Presidential and general elections in Zambia, arguably to stifle press and other freedoms and civil liberties, but the new Government believes its enactment was not done in good faith as it segregates some sections of society, media and some politicians. Technology and Science Minister Felix
We’ll support ATI Law: Zambian lawmakers
Lawmakers in Zambia have given thumbs up over the stakeholders relentless quest to push for the enactment of the Access To Information (ATI) Bill into law this year and will render support as espoused under democratic tenets. Since 2002, media practitioners and other interest groups-donors alike have joined hands into pushing
Newspaper tax threatens industry: MISA
Zambia’s re-introduction of 16% Value Added Tax on digital and newspaper sales is an affront to media freedom and should be reversed to save industry, interest groups have warned. The 2022 budget for the fiscal year 2022 has re-introduced and passed an amendment to the VAT Act, adjusting the standard rate
Zambia to expedite access to information law
Zambia’s quest to enact the ‘belated’ Access To Information (ATI) Bill has inched closer after the Government reaffirmed its commitment to actualize it into law, premised on practitioners being responsible and accountable to their role as fourth estate. Last year, Information and media minister Ms. Chushi Kasanda had assured various stakeholders
Zambia court rules liquidation of Post newspaper as illegal
After eight years of protracted legal battle between liquidators of the once famous and critical private publication-the Post, the Court in Zambia has reversed the decision, describing it illegal with calls to re-start the process. In 2016, the Post, a fiery critic of the defunct newspaper was placed under liquidation over