The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter has commended the Government through the Ministry of Information and Media for signing Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 35 of 2024, which operationalises the Access To Information (ATI) Law.
MISA-Zambia Chairperson, Lorraine Chisanga, says the move is a momentous development marking a significant step towards promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in the country.
Ms Chisanga adds that with the ATI Law now in effect, citizens are empowered to access vital information on matters of public interest, fostering an environment where informed decision-making and civic participation are not only encouraged but also implemented.
“MISA Zambia and its partners have long advocated for the enactment and implementation of an ATI law as a crucial pillar for democracy and sustainable development,” she says.
Ms Chisanga stated that the operationalisation of the ATI law signifies the government’s commitment to upholding the fundamental right to information, which is essential for the realisation of other human rights and freedoms.
“For MISA Zambia, the operationalisation of the ATI Law will among other benefits, ensure that governmental actions are open to scrutiny, thereby reducing opportunities for corruption and mismanagement of public resources, allow citizens to meaningfully participate in governance processes and hold public officials accountable,” she said.
Ms Chisanga noted that the ATI law will also allow journalists and media practitioners to have a legal framework to seek and disseminate information, thereby strengthening investigative journalism and the free flow of information.
“Furthermore, MISA Zambia calls on civil society organisations (CSOs), media practitioners and the general public to actively engage in the process of accessing information to ensure that this law achieves its intended purpose,” she urged.
Ms Chisanga assured that MISA Zambia remains committed to working with the government, CSOs and all stakeholders to promote and protect media freedoms and the right to information.
“We believe that the operationalisation of the ATI Law will pave the way for a more transparent and democratic Zambia,” she indicated.
In Zambia just like in many African countries, there’s a big gap between the enactment of laws, enforcement and obedience by those in authority. So far ot doesn’t look like the UPND will allow easy access to vital information. However, with the advent of smart phones and social media, Zambians are able to leak vital information regardless. Let’s wait and see
Promise made and promise kept. I hope all public sector institutions are ready to live with this legislation. The era of transpatency has started.
The laws will be there but they wont work. That happens because of the three wings of governance namely The Executive (Govt) the Legislature and the Judiciary, the first one is too powerful. The other two wings are always bowing to the government because the president appoints them
Don’t blame law, blame citizens who challenge the law. Look at what those idyots did to Kenya this week. A peaceful country, the spoiled citizens go burn parliament over nothing.
They should have killed more of them…
100% We believed President HH in 2021 but sadly have now found most of his team are highly corrupt and engaged in questionable activities. There is no chance this information law would be allowed for us to uncover their schemes inside government. This government is actually charging media persons with “seditious practices” just to shut them up.
@Ayatollah
The man who impacts ATI more than anyone, Australian Julian Assange has just been set free after a plea deal with the US and our nation is silent about this. Yet his leaks have allowed us to see how Mwanawasa stole K838 billion from ZANOC.
On Wikileaks you can read how Mwanawasa was implicated with then Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary Josephine Mapoma of grand theft. Zambian crime busters have never followed up. Can ATI enable us to conclude this story?
Is the dual carriage contract allowed ??
just wondering how from 1.2 Billion to 650 Million
Ask Lungu.Theft By Servant
We want to know how much electricity is being exported???
And why our debt has increased from US$11.9 billion to $14.7 billion in just two years that the UPND has been in power
If our physical safety is not protected than the rest is just academic!! Who can file to ‘access information’ when the Police is being used to shut down all criticism? The Government is using all manner of false charges on citizens to ensure they are not brought to account. This law is another attempt to distract the people from the truth that we made a terrible mistake in 2021.
So you would rather not have the law so that you can continue to call him a liar over un kept promise? Funny logic. If the enactment of what most would call a progressive law is a distraction to you then you have a very weird and short attention span. There are people criticising the govt every day using all manner of platforms, As long as they remain in the confines of the law, they are fine.
“If our physical safety is not protected” Protected by who? Our corrupt Zambia Police Force?