MEDIA-ZAMBIA: Government Accused of Stalling on Information Bill

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Zarina Geloo

LUSAKA, Feb 11 2004 (IPS) - Media organisations in Zambia are staging a five-day campaign this week to lobby for the proposed Freedom of Information Bill to be brought before the current session of parliament.

This follows government claims that the law needs to be revised.

Groups that have taken up cudgels on behalf of the bill include the Press Association of Zambia (PAZA), the Zambian chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), the Zambia Media Women’s Association (ZAMWA), the Zambia Union of Journalists (ZUJ) and the Society for Senior Zambian Journalists (SSZJ).

Speaking at a joint press briefing Tuesday, the groups said they would not allow government to get away with brushing aside a bill which, when enacted, could assist journalists who are fighting to uncover corruption in Zambia.

PAZA spokesman Amos Chanda noted that the bill was central to maintaining democracy in the country: “People need to know what government does with their taxes. They need to know how it governs, what agreements it signs on their behalf with the IMF and the World Bank.It is about having an open and transparent society.”

Kellys Kaunda, Chairman of MISA-Zambia, added that delays in bill’s passage were giving cause for concern.

“We are suspicious of government’s handling of the bill, which has gone through all the processes in parliament and is at committee stage, waiting to be enacted. This was to have been done last year. Now we are hearing all sorts of ridiculous excuses,” he said.

Information Minister Mutale Nalumango told media executives recently that the bill had some “fundamental errors” and needed “further consultation”. She declined to elaborate on what these errors were, saying the issues had been discussed amongst cabinet colleagues whose deliberations were “privileged information”.

However in another meeting with journalists, Vice President Nevers Mumba was more forthcoming. He said after the Sep. 11 terror attacks in the United States during 2001, several countries had become more cautious about divulging government-related information.

“It does not make sense for Zambia to start opening up at this time. This is our major concern,” he told reporters.

Sakwiba Sikota, a lawyer who sits in parliament, has scoffed at this explanation, saying there are already enough safeguards in the bill to ensure that Zambia’s national security is not compromised.

“The truth of the matter is that much of what our defence and security people do has not the slightest bearing on security but is still classified secret or confidential.”

Last year, Sikota sponsored another Freedom of Information Bill in parliament. Government dismissed the law at that time, claiming that implementation might prove too costly. Two weeks later, officials came up with the present bill which they are now – ironically – reluctant to enact.

“The bill in its current form is not even what we wanted – it still leaves a lot of lacunae. But, our view is that half a loaf is better than none,” says Sikota.

“After this bill is enacted, we will see where the loop holes are and make the necessary amendments,” he adds.

Sikota claims the bill has majority support in Zambia’s National Assembly. While much of this support comes from the opposition, certain members of the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) are reportedly also sympathetic to the bill. Sikota has advised the media to lobby MMD legislators who might otherwise be obliged to vote along party lines should the new law be put before parliament.

“If MP’s are sufficiently sensitised there is a great chance that they will vote with their conscience,” he says.

The trial of Zambia’s Director of Public Prosecution, Mukelebai Mukelebai, has highlighted the need for a freedom of information bill in the country. In the absence of this legislation, Mukelebai’s case is being heard in camera, much to the ire of the media and civil society groups. His lawyer, Vincent Malambo, had applied to have the case heard in open court – but this request was denied.

“This is a public matter because this is a man who acts for the people. Why should it be held in camera? What is government scared of ?” asks Kaunda.

Media associations have organised a protest march for Friday (Feb. 13), to draw further attention to their demands for the information bill to be put before parliament immediately.