Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Civil Society Organizations advocating for Media Freedom in Zambia have called on government to expedite the process of enacting the access to information bill.
Speaking during the presentation of the ATI policy brief report, governance, elections, advocacy, and research services (gears) executive director McDonald Chipenzi says the ATI will help communities to access information about what is happening in the country thereby curbing the spread of fake news in the country.
Mr. Chipenzi adds that the fight against corruption will be a nightmare in the absence of the access to information bill, thus the urgent need for the ministers responsible to expedite the process so that the ATI bill can be turned into law.
Speaking at the same event, media institute of Southern Africa (MISA) zambia deputy chairperson, Hyde Haguta notes that it is difficult for journalists to do investigative journalism in the absence of the ATI law.
Earlier action aid Zambia Country Director Nalucha Ziba said the access to information law is key in curbing illicit financial flows because it will provide enough information to allow journalist to do investigative stories related to the auditor general and the financial intelligence center reports.
Ms. Ziba says about 70 percent of Zambians lack information about where the revenue is generated and where it goes.
And presenting the access to information policy brief report, Dr. Basil Hamusokwe has noted that there is unwarranted fear of the unknown and misinformation of policy makers and the political parties that form government on enacting the ATI bill.
Dr. Hamusokwe has recommend that as a matter of urgency government should consider enacting the ati bill because it will address to an extent the high poverty levels in the country by curbing resource wastage and ensuring that government is truly responsive to the needs of the people.