Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Mwansa Kapeya has assured the nation that government has nothing to hide and is committed to enacting the Access to Information Bill.
In a ministerial statement to Parliament today to update the house on the progress made so far on the Access to Information Bill, Mr Kapeya says government believes the Access to Information Bill is one of the most progressive of its kind have been developed in close and full collaboration and participation of key stakeholders such as the civil society, academia and legislative experts.
Mr Kapeya says the ministry has engaged a legal expert to undertake a review of conflicting legislation to the Access to Information Bill before it is enacted.
He adds that the legal expert has since been given one month in which to undertake the review process.
Mr Kapeya says once the review is completed, the Ministry of Information will proceed to present the Access to Information Bill to the legislative committee of Cabinet for consideration before being taken to Cabinet for approval to be tabled before Parliament.
Meanwhile Information and Broadcasting services Permanent Secretary Emmanule Mwamba has called for unity in the media, stating that business rivalry should not bring about animosity in the industry.
Speaking during a meeting with Media Managers and News Editors in Lusaka today, Mr Mwamba noted with sadness the prevailing disunity in the media.
He also noted that the country has also been divided, urging the media to play a key role in uniting the country.
And Mr Mwamba has assured the media that the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Were he is board Chairperson will not sit on applications for radio or television licenses.
He says the common trend were applications for radio and television licenses went missing at the Ministry of information should come to an end with the operationalization of the IBA.
Mr Mwamba says it is not government’s desire to stifle media expansion.
yaba..we are tired of this story..
Assurences one after the other! Tuchilitulelolela ngafikabomba
Bring Back Given Lubinda, things were moving during his time as Minister of Information.
Ifi tafyakabombe nangu panono
1. Teti tusuminishe 50÷1 pantu ba opposition kuti bawina
2. We still want the president to maintain the same powers
Hence the constitution will only come out in 2021 after we have served our terms
Iwe mwamba mutale did u ever go to school?? U are just interested in what to put in ur stomach, u are very dull, naïve & a dictator! Asking some one to define democracy for u!
Kapeya,Kapeya,Kapeya!
Still promising, bushe bane mwalishalamo nangu tumanofye utunono?
You’ve completely lost it
Only a fool can listen
Zambians can’t be fooled twice
Mean while continue ‘earning’ your pay.