Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Kennedy Sakeni, says the Freedom of Information Bill (FoIB) is expected to be presented in Parliament in the first quarter of 2013.
Mr Sakeni revealed the development when he paid a courtesy call on Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Hlobotha Nkunika, in Kasama yesterday.
And Mr Sakeni has said that the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) will soon start operating at the Mass Media Complex in Luaska.
He added that the PF Government advocates for the freedom of the press because it is imperative, especially in a democratic dispensation that the media should be allowed to operate freely.
And Mr Sakeni has urged media practitioners to cover events freely and factually so that the nation is well informed
Meanwhile, Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Hlobotha Nkunika, has praised Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) workers in the area from good performance in informing the nation on the development in the area.
Mr Nkunika said he was happy with the hard working spirit exhibited by officers in the province despite being understaffed.
He, however, appealed to the minister to assist the department in the province with transport and state of the art equipment.
Mr Nkunika cited the non-availability of an editing suite for television content, saying the officers suffer a lot to process the news and pipe stories to the head office.
And commenting on the printing press under construction at Kasama’s ZANIS offices, Mr Nkunika said the progress is seen although the contractor has had problems of sourcing timber.
The Information Minister is in Northern Province for two days on a familiarization tour.
ZANIS
Sakeni the warthog/munjiri. What a leadership we have in Zambia.
#2 KALOK, ON CEEC TOPIC JUST BELOW THIS TOPIC, YOUR REQUEST HAS BEEN ANSWERED. “Good. Could we also see a detailed report of this activity, if it is not too much to ask?” BY THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION. BY 2013, ANYONE WILL HAVE ACCESS TO ALMOST ALL INFORMATION.
…from#2. THIS INCLUDES ACCESSING CEEC FINANCIAL REPORTS.
THOSE MINES THAT HIDE TRUE PROFITS WILL BE FORCED TO RECORD TRUE INFORMATION ON THEIR FINANCIAL RECORDS.
#1 YOU ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING WRONG WITH OUR LEADERS. MY DEAR THEY ARE LEADING AND THEIR DELIVERABLE S CAN BE SEEN AND FELT. DON’T BE NEGATIVE ABOUT YOUR LEADERS WHEN YOU ARE ABROAD AND PROBABLY NOT EVEN CONTRIBUTING TO ZAMBIA’S NEW DEVELOPMENT AGENDA BY THE NEW GOVT. NO GOVT OF ZAMBIA HAS EVER ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN ONE YEAR AS PF. SO, DON’T LOOK AT YOUR LEADERS WITH CONTEMPT. HAVING A “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION” IS A VERY BIG ACHIEVEMENT TO ANY COUNTRY LET ALONE AFRICA.
This is a law Tony Blair now regrets to have passed – learn the lessons from. It is also very expensive to maintain as you need to employ staff in all ministries and departments to provide this information.
Peter @5 – FOI only relates to public and government institutions. Mines will not be obliged as they will be outside scope except for info about ZCCM Investment
Sakeni nomwenfu waba zulu kekekekeke!
Sakeni nomwenfu waba zezulu kekekekeke!