Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Zambian Voice says failure to enact the Access to Information Bill at the time Zambia is celebrating its golden Jubilee is an indictment on the part of the Patriotic Front government.
Executive Director Chilufya Tayali says his organization expected that with this law in place, the media would have been allowed to operate freely 50 years after the country’s independence.
Mr. Tayali says his organization therefore hopes that even without this legislation in place, 50 years going forward, the media will still be allowed to operate more freely than it is current operating.
He however says the media should not on the other hand sow the seed of hatred and tribalism as is the current situation in the country.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. Tayali says his organization is particularly saddened by the fact that while the country is commemorating its 50 years of independence, about 42 percent of Zambians are still living in abject poverty.
He says it is further unfair for the country to celebrate a golden jubilee when there are so many retirees that have not been paid their benefits.
The Zambian Voice Executive Director States that his organization is however encouraged by the 2015 national budget in which government intends to make economic independence a reality for all.
He says the Zambian Voice finds the 2015 national budget to be a good one provided government sticks to it.
And Mr. Tayali says his organization condemns politicians who are inciting public service workers to demonstrate against the wage freeze.
He says his organization believes that by imposing the wage freeze, government is trying to serve funds for investment in line with the 2015 national budget which government wants to use to make economic independence a reality for all Zambians.