The task force working on the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill has completed drafting the document and is expected to launch it next week for public scrutiny and comments.
The Task force comprising of the civil society, legal experts, Transparency International, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and other stakeholders has been working on the Freedom of Information legislation for the past few months and have made headways.
Government says the progress made in formulating the FoI bill indicates the commitment it has attached to ensuring that there is free flow and public access to information.
Information, Broadcasting and Labour Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga made the disclosure when officials from the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) called on him at his office in Lusaka yesterday.
ZANIS reports that according to the Ministry’s Press and Public Relations Unit, the PS told the team comprising DFID Governance Advisor in Zambia Sam Waldock and Dr. Mark Robinson, the DFID Chief Professional Officer in the Governance, Conflict and Social Development Division at the Organisation’s Headquarters in London that FoI Bill draft is ready to be launched soon.
“A taskforce has been working to come up with draft legislation on the Freedom of Information Bill. This is now ready and we will be launching it in few days time for public scrutiny and input. The Draft will be thereafter be submitted to Cabinet and later Parliament for commencement of the enactment process,” said Mr. Malupenga.
Mr. Malupenga who is also the spokesperson for the taskforce appealed for financial support from cooperating partners and other stakeholders to publicise the draft bill in the print and other communication channels to enable members of the public access the document countrywide.
And Mr. Robinson pledged DFID’s support for the ongoing media reforms in Zambia describing the country’s freedom of information process as impressive.
ZANIS
A working govt! By 2013 results will be discernable to all.
Thats what we call working. Do such things which are the measure of your employment inputs. Well done Malupenga.
That is what we call good governance, this bill if passed will enable Zambians to have access to information.
Well done PF for such a move, one promise done.
Thanks to checks and Balances
Waiting for professor ‘checks and balance’ to comment.
Go back to the post you desperate cheat. We thought u are allergic to politcally obtained positions yet in reality u are like monkeys standing on the fence to jump into the field once the owner leaves. Post News Paper is the worst organisation ever in the history of Zambia. You are the people causing our president, a man many of us thought would really deliver, but he is now dancing to your tune surrounded by post agents. God forbid. If Sata does not stop paying homage to the Post and its allies like Mutembo Nchito, then his will be the worst presidency ever. It is almost impossible to be bear with him any longer because of the 90 days issue only to face harsh realities of mega missmanagement ever. Think about simple things like windfall tax which he has not delivered on. Shame
Muletasha.PF you are working. Bill of imformation once passed,another campaign promise fulfilled.continue please.
@ 5 please, over 8 months since your president lost elections you are still hurting, be honest with yourself, and consider what The Post has accomplished over the past twenty years. GOD BLESS ZAMBIA.
I hope Amos is no long a friends of umwana-wa-bwa Mmembe, I and hope his so-called bill is directing towards arresting of his former abuser at The Post.
@ 5..mmmmm..you are a bitter man! malupenga was chosen from post on merit….. you are off the topic ba bwana
I think of you you should stop commenting on serious issues like this one because you are not objective….please! please let us learn to pay tribute where it is due rather than committing fallacies like that, I mean try to be logical in your comments.
Congrats Amos and the entire taskforce. only haters will talk against this important piece of legislation you are working on. PF thumbs up!