GOVERNMENT remains committed to enacting the Freedom of Information Bill but will do so cautiously, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Chishimba Kambwili has said.
The minister said in an interview yesterday that Government would like to open up and allow citizens to have access to information but is concerned that some media organisations are focused on making it fail instead of providing credible checks and balances.
“We as Government have not declined to enact the Access to Information Bill, but we want to do so cautiously.
“Despite the existence of the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC), which is supposed to perform as a watchdog to ensure that media organisations conforms to the law, nothing is being done,” he said.
Mr Kambwili, who is also chief government spokesperson, said media organisations do not want to regulate themselves and to instil discipline.
Meanwhile, Mr Kambwili has supported the government of Botswana for rejecting the Freedom of Information Bill to preserve the secrets and security of the nation.
The Bill, which was recently tabled by Gaborone Central legislator Dumelang Saleshando, was rejected by parliament.
“In a way you can agree with them, the situation in Europe and Africa is different,” Mr Kambwili said.
Iwe chi Kambwili you won’t be in power forever.That is the problem with you buggers. When out of office you will be crying for this same law.Do the right thing now.
Kambwili, i think you have too much fats and less brains in your heard.
So if Botswana rejected FIB then we should do the same? atase!
Yes, the situation in African and Europe is different because in Europe, leaders act while in Africa, you just yap and steal from the poor.
Kambwili is one of the most dull ministers Zambia has ever produced. He has no data at all and i wonder his level of education.
Talk, talk, talk, talk, eat, eat, eat, eat!!
Kambwili you have not said anything about the alleged theft of council land by yourself? We are waiting brand, maybe you will say something when there is a change of GRZ
I don’t like Kambwili. I don’t like him. After his big speech on TV about punishing UPND. Inciting tribal hate. This stupid motto of one Zambia one nation is taking us nowhere, if znbc will continue to broadcast hate speech. The PF is focused on PR. As a public figure he provides such a bad example.
Is the value of Access to Information Act difficult for some people to understand? I am surprised.
Your statement Kambwili sends a negative message. How can you enact something with caution? You are a dictator in the first degree. You cannot hold out food in one hand to someone and hold a whip in the other hand. Zambia is not your personal to holder country it belongs to all of us.