Zambia: Govt to table information bill soon

GOVERNMENT will table the Freedom of Information Bill-immediately after parliament resumes its sitting this month. Information and Broadcasting Services Minister RONNIE SHIKAPWASHA says government has already reached an advanced stage in pushing for legislation of the Act.

He said authorities are currently wrapping up the study and other models as advised by the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme.

The Minister said government, under the leadership of President BANDA, is in a hurry to pass the Freedom of Information Bill and other media bills. Lt. Gen. SHIKAPWASHA however said government is taking its time to consult widely so that it can come up with an all-embracing legal framework.

He was speaking during the African Regional Conference on the Right to Access to Information in Accra, Ghana.

Gen. SHIKAPWASHA, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, chaired a high level panel discussion on transparency at the LA Palm Beach Hotel in Accra. The conference has been organized by the Carter Center for Democracy Program. And Former US President JIMMY CARTER challenged African government's to speed up the legislation for Access to Information in their countries.

[ZNBC Online]

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 10 February 2010 07:31 )

- February 10, 2010 by ZNBC online

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Source: www.statehouse.gov.zm/index.php/component/content/article/48-featured-items/209-govt-to-table-information-bill-soon (accessed on 12.02.10)