President Hakainde Hichilema has officially endorsed the long-anticipated Access to Information Bill (ATI), eliciting excitement among media personnel and various stakeholders within the nation.
President Hichilema underscores the significance of enacting the ATI into law, characterizing it as a major milestone for both the media sector and the country as a whole. This development is expected to facilitate increased access to information by the media and various stakeholders.
The historic signing took place during a press conference in Lusaka today, marking a momentous occasion after many years of waiting for the legislation to be formalized.
The monumental endorsement of the ATI is anticipated to not only advance the media sector but also enhance human rights and democracy within the country. With the ATI now in effect, individuals will have the freedom to approach government agencies and other institutions to obtain crucial information on a wide range of issues.
Thabo Kawana, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Media, expressed the belief that the signing of the Bill will eliminate limitations that people have faced in their quest for vital information. He noted the protracted journey of over two decades that has led to this pivotal moment where the President has finally signed the eagerly awaited ATI Bill into law.
Earlier this year, Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa presented the ATI Bill to parliament for consideration, and it was successfully passed before the close of the parliamentary session.