Government promises to table the Access to Information Bill before parliament this year.

Government says it will this year table the access to information bill in parliament.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Chishimba Kambili says that government is still consulting the ministry of Justice on some important issues to include in the document before the bill is finalized and tabled in parliament
Breeze FM Staffer, Naomi Mwimba reports that Mr. Kambwili was speaking during the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day in Lusaka.
Mr. Kambwili however, condemned the abuse of social and online media by some people, stating that real journalism in Zambia is dying slowly because the people using the online media are not observing journalism ethics.
He added that the negative reports on the Head of State by some media organizations is influencing cadres to react, thereby harassing journalists, which he says should not be condoned.
Mr. Kambwili says that media institutions should be headed by qualified people so that there is objectivity in the way stories are portrayed.
And government has signed a deal with Star Soft Technology of China worth nine million Kwacha for the first phase of digital migration which will cater for all areas along the line of rail by June 17 this year.
And speaking earlier, World Press Freedom Day committee chairperson Enock Ngoma emphasized the need for government to enact the freedom of information bill which he says has been in existence for the past thirteen years.
Mr Ngoma also advised the media to extend their coverage in gender matters.
He also urged government to ensure that laws to protect journalists are strengthened so that the trend of hiring and firing of journalists by media institutions are brought to an end.
Mr. Ngoma added that government should ensure that salaries for journalists in both government and private institutions are harmonized.
This year’s world press freedom day is being commemorated under the theme “media and gender equality in digital age”.