PF won't be taken seriously if they fail to enact FoI - Kabamba

PF won't be taken seriously if they fail to enact FoI - Kabamba
By Kabanda Chulu and Kondwani Munyeka
Fri 02 Mar. 2012, 10:59 CAT

THE PF government will not be taken seriously if they fail to enact the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill as promised, says Press Freedom Committee of The Post chairperson Leah Kabamba.

And several media freedom activists have said the term FoI must be changed to Access to Information (ATI) because it is not only journalists that will benefit when public information becomes accessible.

In an interview yesterday, Kabamba said the right to access information held by public authorities, alongside press freedom, would enhance democracy.

"The FoI Bill was withdrawn in 2002 from Parliament. Since there have been numerous pronouncements that it will be taken back but this has not worked and if this government says they will take it back, that is good but there will be no reason to believe or take the PF government seriously if they fail to honour their promise by July 2012," Kabamba said.

She challenged government to avail to the public the contents of the Bill that would be taken to Parliament.

"The Bill should be all inclusive by having views of all stakeholders and when in place, there will be increased transparency in the manner government operates. Since public bodies do things on behalf of people, the public have the right to request for any information about government activities," said Kabamba.

Last week, information minister Fackson Shamenda announced that government will take the FoI Bill to Parliament this July.

And participants to the budget transparency and access to information training workshop hosted by Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) and the International Budget Partners last week stated that government pronouncements should not be taken for granted.

"There is need for political will and despite having allies in government, we should not take things for granted because politicians are the same," stated the participants. "And there is need to correct the misconception that FoI will only benefit journalists, hence we want it to be referred to as ATI."

Meanwhile, MISA-Zambia says the country's on-going debate about the independence of the state-owned media clearly shows how relevant the media is to the country's growing democracy and development.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, MISA-Zambia acting chairperson Nalumino Nalumino said the media enables individuals to access information and impart ideas in society.

"…It is an indispensable tool in any democracy, especially for a budding democracy like Zambia. MISA-Zambia has for this reason outlined in its strategic plan an objective to enhance media professionalism in the interest of good governance and Zambia's democratic growth," said Nalumino.