Tuesday, March 19, 2024

We’ll not drag our feet in implementing the Freedom of Information bill-Sakeni

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Chief Government Spokesperson, Kennedy Sakeni
Chief Government Spokesperson, Kennedy Sakeni

Government will swiftly act towards the realisation of the Freedom of Information bill.

And government has expressed confidence that Zambia will implement the digital migration before the regional and international deadlines.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Kennedy Sakeni, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, said tremendous progress has already been made towards actualising the Freedom of Information bill.

Mr. Sakeni disclosed that the Attorney General has finished studying the proposed Access to Information bill and that the bill will now be submitted to Cabinet and to members of the public before it is finally submitted to parliament for enactment.

He was speaking at an interactive media cocktail that was organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services in Lusaka last night.

Mr. Sakeni said government, under the leadership of President Michael Sata, has decontrolled and deregulated the media so that they operate freely and professionally in carrying out their mandate of informing, educating and entertaining the public.

He said the controls that characterized the media under the previous regime were now a thing of the past.

And on digital migration, Mr. Sakeni said his ministry was confident of migrating in line with both the regional and international deadlines.

A total of K25 billion has been set aside in the 2013 national budget for the implementation of digital migration.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sakeni said considerable progress also has being made towards the establishment of provincial television studios in order to give the rural masses a voice in the governance and development of the country.

He commended the provincial television committee chaired by former Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Director General Duncan Mbazima for the speed and seriousness it has employed in implementing the provincial television projects.

Mr. Sakeni noted with happiness that the committee has already visited all the ten provinces of the country to identify land and other facilities for the construction of the television studios.

An initial K22 billion was set aside in the 2013 national budget for the construction of provincial television studios which is set to commence next year.

Mr. Sakeni stressed that under the Patriotic Front (PF) government, press freedom was non-negotiable and non-reversible adding that government will not stop the media from reporting the truth.

He also assured the nation that government remains unflinchingly committed to transforming the country into a prosperous and better place to live in.

He said the landmark successes the country has scored in sports and other sectors were testimony of more and better things to come under the leadership of President Sata.

Speaking earlier, Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga urged the media to work closely with government in promoting a professional media fraternity in the country.

Mr. Malupenga also stressed that his ministry has scored major milestones in the development of the media industry in the country.

ZANIS

7 COMMENTS

  1. Thumbs up to the camera person. Best photo I have ever seen of this man. How did you do it? perfect art, making an ugly person look presentable. Please do it for the rest of them, especially those in much higher residences.

  2. Ba Sakeni I have said it before and I will say it here again. This is a law Tony Blair now regrets to have passed – learn the lessons from the British. It is also very expensive to maintain as you need to employ staff in all ministries and departments to provide this information. Dont be in a hurry…you will regret..

  3. Trusting what Sakeni is saying now is like trusting PF Dictator President Sata a liar who has failed to fulfill not evn one of his promises or trusting a WILD LION saying it wont feed on when its hungry in the bush.

    No Zambian should trust what you are saying Sakeni you are a SHUSHUSHU who can not be trusted not at any time!

  4. Wow! This can be 1 certain of the most beneficial blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Fantastic. I am also a specialist in this subject as a result I can have an understanding of your effort.

  5. I’ve recently started a blog, the information you offer on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work. “My dear and old country, here we are once again together faced with a heavy trial.” by Charles De Gaulle.

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