Zambian government commits to taking FOI Bill back to Parliament in 2008

21 January 2008

In his speech, Dr Mwanawasa said his Government recognised the media as a powerful educative and information tool for development. He said it was for this reason that his government would remain committed to creating a conducive environment for the media to operate freely. Dr Mwanawasa added that government wanted to ensure that free flow of information among the Zambian people was enhanced through such laws.

He said the media were a key tool that could help reduce corruption and poverty as they provide checks and balances on society and government.

�It is for this reason that Government remains committed to the creation of a conducive environment for the media to operate freely and to ensure free flow of information. To this effect, Government shall this year re-introduce the FOI Bill in this house,� he said.

And on January 16, 2008, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Mike Mulongoti assured the Zambian public that the contents of the FOI Bill would be made public.

He said Government had nothing to hide and that since the Bill was about transparency, its enactment would be equally transparent. He said there was no need for concern among the public and reinstated government�s commitment to enact the Bill.

BACKGROUND

On November 22 2002, Newstead Zimba, then Information Minister, presented the Bill No. 22 of 2002 to the Zambian Parliament for first reading.

It was presented for second reading on November 28, 2002, however it was withdrawn from Parliament at this stage.

The Government cited the need for further consultation as the reason for the withdrawal of the Bill. It has been five years since the bill was withdrawn from Parliament.

Some of the reasons advanced were issues of national security and the threat of terrorism.

ENDS

Source: Misa