MISA doubts Kambwili has read provisions of AIB

Government has been challenged to tell the Zambian people exactly what its fears are in passing the Access to Information Bill (AIB) into law.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia is wondering what the PF government is hiding from the Zambian people to delay the passage of the Bill it promised to enact while in opposition.

Hellen Mwale

MISA president Hellen Mwale says government is mistaken to think that the Access to Information Law for the media alone, by using the excuse of irresponsible journalism as the reason for the delay in enacting the Bill into law.

In an interview with Qfm News, Ms. Mwale has called on government to realize that access to information is a right for all citizens in any democracy.

Ms. Mwale states that a few irresponsible media houses cannot therefore be used as an excuse to deny Zambians their right to know by refusing to enact the AIB into law.

She has particularly wondered whether Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Chishimba Kambwili has actually read the provisions of the Bill, stating that if he has read, he could not have suggested that the enactment of another law to deal with illegalities in the media fraternity before the AIB is passed into law.

Ms. Mwale says the AIB already provides for safeguards.