The Government has finally gazetted a Statutory Instrument (SI) which will regulate and operationalize the Access to Information (ATI) paving way to a new era in news gathering and dissemination.
The SI No. 56 of 2025 was signed by Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa on August 20, 2025, and published in the Government Gazette on August 29, 2025.
The move is a major step in making the Access to Information (ATI) Act fully operational, as the SI is key requirement for implementing the law enacted in 2023.
The ATI Act No. 24 of 2023 had faced delays in full application due to the absence of this SI, which provides the legal framework and detailed regulations for citizens to request and access public information.
The newly signed SI outlines procedures for submitting requests, response timelines, and forms to be completed by information requesters. Under the SI, information holders are required to acknowledge receipt of requests in writing within three working days.
Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa confirmed the signing and assured the public that a press briefing would be held to outline the guidelines and respond to questions on the newly operationalized law. He emphasized that the Ministry was committed to supporting both citizens and public institutions in complying with the ATI framework.
Compliance with the law, including adherence to deadlines and proper handling of sensitive information, is mandatory for all public institutions. Stakeholders say the SI is critical for operationalizing Zambia’s constitutional right to access information.
Civil Society Organizations and media practitioners have welcomed the development, saying the absence of SI had previously hindered effective implementation.
ATI Coalition Chairperson, Father Daniel Mutale, emphasized the importance of timely compliance, noting that the window for public bodies to adhere to the new law closes on 21st December 2025.
“Any further delays in gazetting the SI would have compromised both the roadmap for implementation and Zambia’s democratic commitments,” he said.
Zambia Journalist Union (ZUJ) President Darlington Mwendabai described the development as progressive step that strengthened Zambia’s democratic space and enhanced citizen participation in national development.
“This will help reduce knowledge gaps and curb misinformation, which has been a concern for both government and the media,” he said.
And Media Liaison Committee Chairperson Henry Kabwe praised the government for demonstrating commitment to accountability.
“Operationalizing the ATI Act empowers citizens to Monitor government projects and supports anti-corruption efforts” he said.
Mr. Kabwe said the move supports President Hichilema’s commitment to fighting corruption and shows that the ruling party is serious about transparency.
“From the revelations by some previous governments after they left office, you could tell there was a reason they did not want this law. But with the Act fully operationalized, people will be able to scrutinize this administration and hold it in high esteem,” he added.
The Human Rights Commission, designated as the oversight body under the Act, is expected to issue implementation guidelines for public institutions to comply fully.
Once fully applied, the ATI will allow Zambians to request information recorded and held by government and public institutions, subject to exemptions such as national security, personal privacy, and confidential commercial information.
Zambia is now among a select number of African Countries with a fully operational Access to Information Law, a development expected to enhance transparency, promote good governance, deepen democratic participation.