In the quest for a law that has eluded Zambia for more than two decades, resulting in many citizens losing interest, AFIC member Panos Institute Southern Africa has embarked on a robust campaign to mobilise citizens and facilitating their participation in the actualization of Access to Information in Zambia.
Zambia previously attempted to enact an access to information law. In 2002, the Freedom of Information Bill was presented before the National Assembly of Zambia, but it was later withdrawn. For more than two decades, civil society, the media fraternity and other actors joined forces in calling for the enactment of a freedom of information or access to information law.
During this time, successes Ministers of Information and other senior government representatives at different instances promised that an access to information law would be enacted after “consultations”.
In the run-up to Zambia’s general elections held in August 2021, Panos and AFIC collaborated on a project on access to information and elections, which among other things recommended the speedy enactment of a progressive ATI law as a tool for accountability and transparency. The project produced various reference materials, conducted capacity building of key stakeholders, and also engaged the African Union.
When a new Government was elected in 2021, Panos embarked on a deliberate crusade to sensitise ordinary citizens, many of whom had lost interest in the ATI discussions following the failure of previous efforts to enact this much anticipated law. At the beginning of 2023, the two organisations, alongside MISA, wrote a letter to President Hakainde Hichilema calling for the speedy enactment of an ATI law, highlighting the fact that of the five co-hosts of the Second Summit for Democracy held in March, only Zambia did not have an ATI law.
Panos used a multi-dimensional approach to amplify voices of local communities to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels. In addition to engaging decision makers and opinion leaders, including civil society, Panos also took deliberate steps to mobilise and engage ordinary citizens about access to information as a fundamental human right, and the role they could play in advocacy for the enactment and implementation of a progressive access to information law.
Panos conducted town-hall meetings, public forums, information sessions, radio and TV programmes, and other public engagement activities to sensitise citizens on ATI. During these activities, community members demanded for the speedy enactment of a progressive access to information law which would allow them to hold the government to account.
Panos also convened meetings of the Civil Society Access to Information Coalition, a grouping of 30 non-governmental organizations working together in advocacy for access to information legislation. These convenings refined the advocacy strategies for the Coalition, and contributed to the strengthening of the civil society voice.
The government subsequently announced that the ATI Bill had been approved in principle by Cabinet, paving the way for its presentation to Parliament. The Bill was presented to Parliament, and Panos – with input from AFIC and other stakeholders – submitted a memorandum on the ramifications of the Bill, making specific recommendations for amendments to be effected before its enactment. The Bill is expected to be presented for second reading in Parliament in December 2023, after consideration of input from various stakeholders.
