Government has disclosed that it has finalized drafting the National Information and Media policy.Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Mr Godfrey Malama revealed that the ministry was now waiting for cabinet to approve the finalized National Information and Media Policy.
ZANIS reports that the permanent secretary was speaking when he graced the commemoration of the international “Right to Know Day” held in Lusaka today.
Mr Malama stated that once the policy is approved by cabinet, government will in turn present the long awaited access to Information Bill to parliament for debate and enactment.
The permanent secretary said government is aware that the right to information is essential in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
Mr Malama said access to information is critical as it allows the public to participate in the decision making process.
He said government together with cooperating partners will endeavour to work towards the actualisation of the access to information bill.
Meanwhile Mr Malama said government is committed to ensuring that the whole country is digitalised to enable the general public have access to quality information.
Mr Malama said the “Right to Know” will not be achieved without the media as it is the conduit through which information is disseminated.
And speaking earlier at the same function UNESCO Director Professor Hubert Gijzen praised government for making steady progress in the adaption of the access to information bill.
He said the general public will only make informed decision once they are empowered with access to information.
Prof Gijzen noted that access to information is key in promoting mutual democracy and good governance.
Yes ,lungu paying lip service while he shuts and harrasses free independent media and the opposition.
Lungu does not want any independent voices.
THIS IS TEASING AND WHO CARES EVEN WHEN YOU ARE SPEAKING ZAMBIAN PEOPLE ARE JUST SEEING YOUR IGNORANCE IN YOUR FACE. PF NEED A LOT TRANQUILIZERS TO INJECTED IN THEIR HEADS. UPND WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANYWAY NOT EVEN DEBATE ON SUCH ISSUES. OPPOSITION WILL BE SILENT AND WILL NEVER DEFEND ON ANY GROUND OF PF DECISIONS. WHETHER WRONG OR GOOD, OPPOSITION MPs WILL NOT TAKE PART IN DECISION MAKING.
SEMEKI, the composition in Parliament is:-
PF 85 MPS
UNDER FIVE PARTY 55 MPS
MMD/PF 3 MPS
PF/INDEPENDENTS 5 MPS
FDD 1 MP
PF/NOMINATED 8 MPS.
YOU CAN GO AND HANG YOURSELF IN THE CATTLE KRAAL, THIS LAW WILL DEFINITELY BE PASSED
@Chile, get your facts right. On this platform, many are well vested with information. Go lie to your ancestors in the village and not on this platform. As far as Parliament and official results are concerned, UPND has 58 MPs with about 6 UPND aligned independents.
Need I name them for you? Sioma, Nangoma, Nalolo, Mulobezi, Mwembeshi, to name but a few. Stop spreading lies on this platform.