Sally Chiwama’s Weblog

By Sally Chiwama

World Press Freedom Day

The World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) organizing committee in Zambia sent me to Livingstone to coordinate the World Press freedom Day activities in Livingstone. And one of the tasks I did was write the speech for the Southern Province Minister.

The speech was accepted by the Ministers office and no alterations were made to the speech.

At the same function I also on behalf of the WPFD organizing committee delivered a speech regards the media in the country.

Below is a story that appeared in the Zambia Daily Mail on May 5^th 2008.

MUNKOMBWE BACKS FOI LEGISLATION.

By Wallen Simwaka

Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe says information is vital for the public to effectively participate in public affairs and make the government simpler.

In a speech read for him by Deputy Permanent Secretary Aaron Zulu at the World Press Freedom day celebrations in Livingstone on Saturday May 3^rd, My Munkombwe said access to information was essential to good governance.

Mr. Munkombwe said freedom of expression constituted one of the most essential foundations of a democratic society because it was a basic condition to the enjoyment of other rights.

“Without freedom of information and expression free discussions particularly on political issues such as national Constitution Conference (NCC) would be stifled,” he said.

“Mr. Munkombwe said government is aware that the free flow of information lies at the heart of the very notion of democracy. It is crucial to the effective respect of human rights”.

Government under the leadership of President Mwanawasa was committed to ensuring that human rights were respected, he said.

Mr. Mukombwe challenged media practitioners in the Southern Province to be proactive and endeavor to capture what government was doing rather than just focus on the negatives.

He, however warned the media to be careful in demanding for public information saying there should be some restrictions to certain aspects of information in the interest of national security.

And World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) organizing committee member Sally Chiwama said there would be no development without a free Media.

Ms Chiwama urged government to expedite the enactment of the Freedom of information legislation because information it would promote a culture of openness in the public sector.

“Government has always said that they are in a hurry to develop the country on several occasions but it should realize that there can be no development without a free media,” she said.

Livingstone Press Club Chairperson Florence Mwisa said the right to freedom of information was now recognized as a fundamental right because public bodies were not holding information for themselves but for the general citizenry.

Ms. Mwisa said the media would find it difficult to expose corrupt leaders if access to information was restricted unnecessarily.