Information - It's Your Right

What annoys you? Government's misplaced priorities? What bugs you? A tender dubiously won? What puzzles you? A discrepancy in the figures? Write to the public authority concerned for an answer.

Unfortunately, under the present system, you will be lucky if you receive even an acknowledgement, despite General Orders.

But when the Freedom of Information Act is in place it will be mandatory for the public authority concerned to give you the information you request, and in a timely manner. If it fails to do so, you can appeal to a Commissioner of Public Information who has the power to enforce action.

The point is that the Freedom of Information Act is not just for journalists, but for everybody. Government spends our money, and we need to know that it is doing so responsibly.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), better known to us under its former title of the Zambia Independent Media Association (ZIMA) has begin a campaign, timed to coincide with the reopening of Parliament on 4 November, to ensure that the Bill is passed during this session. The campaign involves radio and television broadcasts, street banners and posters, press adverts and articles.

The Freedom of Information Act was hinted at in government's "Governance" document produced for the donors three years ago. Government even produced a draft Bill, and circulated it to the chief stakeholders for comments. Several amendments were suggested by the media community, and there the matter ended.

Frustrated by the lack of action, the media community produced its own draft Bill last year, intending to push it through under a private member's motion. Government advised that the Bills had "massive" financial implications and could only be debated if approved by the President or Minister of Finance.

But government was pushed into drafting its own Bills. Two (the Independent Broadcasting Authority Bill and the ZNBC Amendment Bill) were passed last December. The Freedom of Information Bill was withdrawn at the last minute by Vice-President Kavindele, citing uncertainties following the 11 September 2001 attacks on the USA - despite the fact that the Bill had made progress through the House during the fifteen months following that date.

The withdrawal was followed by several misconceived remarks from government ministers saying we could not allow journalists to lay government bare, as this would compromise state security. This ignored the fact that the Bill contains provision for public authorities to claim exemption if they feel security is at risk. In any dispute the Commissioner will decide.

The Freedom of Information Act will help government in its anti-corruption campaign, by making it more difficult for the culprits to hide behind a façade of silence or a "no comment". It is therefore very important that the Bill is passed into law this session which begins 4 November. If it does not, expect fireworks!