MISA challenges Lungu over the Access to Information Bill

1
Hellen Mwale
Hellen Mwale

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter is taken aback by President Edgar Lungu’s statement that he is thinking twice about enacting Access to Information Bill because of the conduct by some media practitioners.

MISA Zambia Chapter Chairperson Hellen Mwale has told QFM News by telephone that President Lungu should tell the nation what has made him turn his back on journalists over the ATI Bill.

Ms Mwale says President Lungu is a lawyer and he understands how urgent the media in Zambia needs the Access to Information Bill enacted.

 

Ms Mwale states that President Lungu should sit down and reflect on his statement saying he is not being fair with the media in the country.

She says a few days ago Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili during the Press Freedom Day celebrations made it very clear that the ATI Bill is before the Attorney General and President Lungu is now doubting about enacting it.

Ms Mwale has since challenged the Head of State to tell the nation what he is scared of in enacting the Access to Information Bill.

Meanwhile, Governance Activist Maurice Malambo says President Lungu’s statement is a challenge on the media in the country to prove that they can handle media freedom.

 

Mr. Malambo has told QFM News in a walk-in-interview that there is no doubt that some media organizations more especially print and online have abused media ethics saying what more can they do if the Access to Information Bill is enacted.

Mr. Malambo has since advised media bodies to help journalists understand the media ethics so that they report on matters affecting the people effectively.

 

QFM NEWS

1 COMMENT

Leave a Reply to Samuel Sikalumbi Cancel reply