Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Information Minister Dora Siliya
Government says the Financial Intelligence Centre has broken internal communication channels by availing to the public information that was first supposed to be reported to government and law enforcement agencies.
Addressing a media briefing in Lusaka, Chief Government spokesperson who is also minister of information and broadcasting services, Dora Siliya explained that the information gathered by the FIC is intelligence information which can be regarded as rumors which Is why it is first supposed to be reported to law enforcement agencies such as the ACC,DEC and the Police for further investigations, verifications and prosecution.
Ms Siliya says government is currently conducting internal consultations and discussions regarding the decision the FIC made to publicize intelligence information before it was presented to law enforcement agencies.
The Chief Government spokesperson states that by revealing the information to the public, the FIC has rendered the report irrelevant because the public has been made to start judging the people mentioned in the report before they can be prosecuted by relevant authorities.
Meanwhile Ms Siliya says those complaining that there has not been enough consultation regarding the cyber bills should wait until the matter reaches committee stage in Parliament to air their concerns and make available their contributions.
And the minister has condemned in the strongest terms the reported attacks on some Journalists during the just ended Chilanga by-election, noting the need for journalists to be allowed to work freely without fear of being attacked by any political party leader or supporters.
Ms Siliya has however, advised Journalists against acting in a way that will make the public or political parties perceive them as being politically inclined as this can invite attacks from losing parties during elections.