By Mubanga Mubanga
We all know that it is not a perfect law, but it is a good start, because we have been crying for the Access to Information law for over thirty years, says Media Liasion Committee chairperson Enerst Chanda.
And said Chanda has appealed to journalists to get aquatinted with the ATl law.
The Free Press Initiative (FPI) said operationalisation of the Access to Information Law (ATI) will enhance accountability and good governance in Zambia.
Speaking to Daily Revelation on the government’s operationalisation of ATl, Chanda said it was long overdue because the law was signed in December last year.
“As the media Liaison Committee, we are saying this is what we have been waiting for. It has been long overdue actually. Because the law was enacted in December last year, and assented to by the President on the second of the same month. So meaning by law, if they had gone beyond six months after Presidential assent, it was going to be illegal, they have done the right thing,” Chanda said. “We all know that it is not a perfect Law, but it is a good start, because we have been crying for the access to information Law for over thirty years.”
Chanda further appealed to journalists to get aquatinted with the ATl law, as this would prevent them from asking useless and irrelevant questions.
“Every stakeholder must get interested in understanding what the law is about, especially the processes of filling in a complaint. How do we use the law in terms of filling in complaints, these are things we need to understand. We know that in Zambia, the reading culture is poor, but if you do not read anything, it is very easy to be manipulated by anyone especially those in power, politicians,” Chanda said.
“They will manipulate you because politicians prey on people’s ignorance, they capitalise on people’s ignorance. It is incumbent upon every citizen to get aquatinted with the access to information law. Especially journalists, may we please get to understand this law, it is there even on Parliament website, pdf format let’s read it so that we avoid asking irrelevant and useless questions. Society expects us to be very knowledgeable.”
“It is embarrassing when you hear a journalist who knows nothing about the access to information law, yet they know everything about gossip on social media, it is a shame!,” Chanda said.
And in a statement, FPI founder Joan Chirwa also commended the government for the move.
Chirwa stated that the ATl law would help in bringing about transparency in governance and promote civic participation by citizens.
“The landmark achievement represents a pivotal move towards enhancing accountability and good governance in Zambia,”Chirwa stated.
“The enactment of the ATl law empowers citizens with the right to access critical information on public matters thereby fostering a culture of informed decision-making and active engagement. FPI has long championed the necessity of an ATl law, recognizing it has a cornerstone for democracy and active development.”
Chriwa further stated that the operationalisation showed that the UPND government was committed to safeguarding the fundamental right to information.
“The benefit of ATl law are manifold: transparency and accountability by opening up government in public scrutiny, the law minimises opportunity to corruption and mismanagement of public resources. Civic participation, citizens can now effectively participate in governance process and hold public officials accountable,” said Chirwa. “Media freedom, journalists and media practitioners gain a robust legal framework, to seek and disseminate information boundaring on investigative journalism and ensuring free flow of information.”
