Zambian Govt Urges Journalists to Negotiate Press Freedom

The Zambian Information Minister Mike Mulongoti Saturday told journalists from both private and public media who gathered to commemorate World Press Freedom that they had not made much progress in getting more press freedom because of what he termed “their arrogant approach”.

According to Mike Mulongoti, journalists in the country need to shift from their arrogant demands for press freedom and instead engage in dialogue.

Journalists in the country have been pressing for the enactment of the Freedom of Information Bill for several years.

The draft bill was prepared several years ago but has since stalled as government has refused to present it before parliament.

Once enacted the law would give both journalists and the public more access to classified information from government that may be considered to be of public interest.

Currently government can have any information declared “classified” to prevent journalists from publishing it, and if a media outlet risks facing jail sentences if it publishes classified information.

Mulongoti however said the delay has been caused by the journalists’ arrogant demands and encouraged them to instead court members of parliament to get their support for the bill.

Source African Press Agency

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