MISA Zambia is questioning the PF government over its delay in enacting the Access to Information (ATI) law and honouring its promises on comprehensive reforms.
Nalumino Nalumino, the acting chairperson of the body, has also expressed concern on the delay by the PF government in undertaking comprehensive media law reforms that were promised by President Michael Sata.
According to a statement to commemorate Zambia’s 48th Independence Anniversary on October 24, Nalumino says the comprehensive media law reforms includes the reinstatement of the Independent Broadcast Authority and appointments of committees to the Independent Broadcast Authority and the ZNBC Act.
President Michael Sata had promised comprehensive media reforms within 90 days of assuming office but there has been nothing tangible to this regard.
“It is thus our hope that the new government will indeed help Zambia realise fully its independence by fully implementing the media reforms in order for the people of Zambia to fully govern themselves. Such reforms must be done under reasonable timeframe that will put Zambia a step ahead of other countries in the world,” Nalumino stated.
“We wish to state that the promises of a new constitution, review of the Penal Code, promises to implement the IBA and ZNBC Act in addition to verbal pledges by the government for media to be free is a good sign but there is need for this freedom and the promises to be realized within a reasonable timeframe.”
MISA Zambia, however, claims that the country’s media industry despite several challenges has seen some major shifts in terms of numbers of media outlets especially radio stations which only stood at one private radio station in the mid-1990s to about 59 currently.
“Further, we note that the proliferation of online media and numerous live-phones in programmes have enhanced freedom of expression and access to information,” Nalumino stated.