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 the enactment of the law-a latitude to compel Government to avail information that the public needs to know but has remained inaccessible because of various ‘secrecy’ Act that need amendment.
Since Zambia’s independence in 1964, a number of laws have either been enacted or retained and in turn, impacted on media freedoms.
The Defamation Act of 1964 restricts freedom of expression, among other things by criminalizing defamation.
The State Security Act of 1969 limits free speech and media freedom, thereby restricting the possibility to criticize the government and its officials.
The Telecommunication Act of 1994 establishes an authority, which administers radio frequency spectrum leaving the approval of licenses under the authority of the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services.
But as the crusade for press freedom heightens, media right campaigners can now sigh with relief that the long-time-wish could become reality with the commitment by lawmakers to join hands and lobby for the expedition enactment of the ATI into law before the close of the year.
Fred Chaatila, a lawmaker from Moomba Constituency, north of the capital, Lusaka, assures of increased goodwill by lawmakers to support the enactment and ensure Zambia’s resolve to become a multiparty state was actualized.
“There is overwhelming desire by we the lawmakers to support and ensure the ATI bill is enacted into law when it is tabled on the floor (in Parliament) for debate because we believe it is good for democracy,”
Speaking during a one-day-meeting for policy makers, technocrats-directors and Civil Society Organisations on the National Budgeting Process and Oversight dubbed: “Beyond the Numbers: Making the Budget work for the People”, lawmaker Chaatila supported the fight for media freedom noting that the outdated laws were hindering information dissemination hence delaying effective democratization and a deprivation for the people on the right to information.
The meeting spearheaded by Oxfam, Oxfam, NGOCC and the Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) was intended to raise awareness and debate over the Euro 1.3 million-four-year-European Union funded budget consultative process sought to promote greater accountability and better public service delivery.
And women’s lobby group- Non Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Institutional Strengthening and Policy Coordinator –Mendai Imasiku supported the efforts and goodwill by the lawmakers to hasten the process.
Regrettably, the lack of law hinder NGOCC’s ability to track and secure data on the budget execution and follow up programme implementation because of the ‘draconian and outdated laws’ restricting access to data in state institutions.
“It’s long overdue, we wish this could become law like yesterday because we have challenges getting information from relevant Government ministries when tracking the utilization of resources allocated in the budget especially on women and other areas of our interest,”
NGOCC embraces over 130 women member groups and lobbies and advocates for women affair and rights to various issues including equality on leadership role, arguably strives to ensure gender related issues are mainstreamed into the Government operations.
Zambia’s desire to actualize the bill into law has received support from various interest groups including the United States, Germany and other foreign players after the country embraced democracy in 1991.
The cause has gained support from Internews Network Zambia, an international media support nonprofit group championing and protecting a free and open internet, educating citizens on media and data, among other roles, commended Zambia for its actualisation bid.
Describing the gesture by Government to expedite the speedy enactment into law soon ‘a turning point’ in the history of Zambian media-20 years after the advocacy was heightened, Internews Network Zambia urges media to appreciate Government’s desire to work with them.
Chief of Party-Teldah Mawarire urged the media to reciprocate and act professionally and avoid possible abuses of the freedom but ensure it provides actual and credible news.
There is a need for enhanced self regulation among practitioners and ensuring fake news, that seeks to cloud out the traditional and truthful media, was avoided to maintain the trust among the people.
Mawarire challenged professionals to strive for excellence and ensure the actualization of the bill into law worked to their advantage and emulate Malawi, Zambia’s neighbor.
“Malawi has enacted the ATI and in Zambia, we need to do our best to enhance freedom of the press and the Government has done its part” she said.
But Information and media minister Ms. Chushi Kasanda assures all stakeholders of the Government’s resolve to ensure ATI becomes law this year.
The United Party for Nations Development (UPND) that ascended to power on 12 August last year campaigned on the bedrock of ensuring press freedom under its five-year-mandate.
President Hakainde Hichilema seeks a vibrant media that will thrive on ethics but ensure it promotes people’s liberties to be heard.
He espoused a media cadre that will join hands with the Government to entrench the rule of law, help to ensure it empower the citizens with knowledge to demand for quality public services.
The President espouses the media to remain fourth estate and become the trumpet against corrupt practices around development projects as well as advocate for meaningful progress.
