Cabinet approves introduction of bill to provide for Access to Information law

Cabinet has approved in principle the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to provide for an Access to Information law.

President Hakainde Hichilema called for the 12th Cabinet Meeting which was held on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at State House, to discuss developmental policy and legislative issues aimed at improving the general living standards of the people in the country.

Information and Media Minister, Chushi Kasanda, said in a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday that the law would ease the accessibility of information of public nature from public and relevant private bodies by the general citizenry.

Kasanda said access to information was necessary for the purposes of promoting a culture of self-restraint among public officers and preventing corruption in government.

She said it would also prevent the spread of misinformation and/or falsehoods and generally reduced criticisms against government, most of which was as a result of lack of information.

“Cabinet approved the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy and its Implementation Plan. The Policy is a revision of the 2006 ICT Policy,” Kasanda said.

She said the revision of the Policy was necessitated by the rapid developments in technological space including artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning and robotics as well as changes in the business models adopted by providers of various ICT services.

Kasanda said it was envisaged that adoption of the revised Policy would accelerate development of Zambia’s digital economy and the general economy as a whole.

“Cabinet approved the appointment of the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) Council. This was done in accordance with Section 5 (1) of the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education Act, Chapter 49 of the Laws of Zambia,” she said.

Kasanda said it was important to approve the appointment of the Council for the continued provision of oversight over the management and operations of ZIALE and this would enhance the performance of the Institute.

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