SECTOR 1

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score:

4.1 (2013:3.0; 2011:3.9; 2009:3.1;
2007:4.3; 2005:3.9)

1.11 Media legislation evolves from meaningful consultations among state institutions, citizens and interest groups.
Civil society and interest groups have been involved in the drafting process of the
Access to Information (ATI) Bill. The Access to Information Coalition and other
stakeholders “have been giving input in terms of what we wanted to see in an
ATI bill.”
However, the political will to have meaningful consultations seems to be lacking.
The ATI Bill was initially drafted by the stakeholders, including media and CSOs.
When the Bill was presented to Parliament, the government realised that
stakeholders “are getting serious,” and therefore, “wanted to come on board”.
At first, the government wanted to work together with stakeholders but later the
“government took over.” It was said that the state had to look into security issues
related to access to information. From then onwards, the Bill has been “with the
government and has not been shared since.”
It was concluded that even though there is a lack of political will, there is still
strong advocacy by civil society to influence legislative processes.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2017

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Select target paragraph3