According to Zamir (2008)7, as quoted by ‘Freedom of Access to Information is not only a fundamental right of an individual but also a means to power because once an individual has the right information they will be in a position to respond and make appropriate informed decisions concerning how they are governed. They will also be able to meaningfully participate in decision-making processes of their country. Ultimately, freedom of Access to Information promotes good governance. 2.2. Political Environment 2.2.2 New Staff Information and Broadcasting Minister, Chishimba Kambwili dissolved the Zambia Daily Mail and Times of Zambia boards in April 2015. According to a source quoted in the Post Newspaper of April 23, 2015, the Minister wrote to the President informing him of his decision to fire the boards and managing directors of the two companies because he felt they were not doing enough to protect the president from attacks. The source further goes on to say that the Minister wanted a board and managing directors that would perform in line with the PF vision. To date, no new boards have been announced for both newspapers. Mr. Bestone Ng’onga was appointed as the new Managing Director for Times of Zambia, taking over from Mr. Francis Lwanga. Mr. Lwanga had served for less than three months before being fired. Autonomy and independence of public media boards and management is an issue that has been advocated for by media, stakeholders and the public for a long time now. Over the years, there has been direct interference from politicians who appoint people to these positions. There have been cases where stories are censored, edited and sometimes cancelled because the party in power feels it criticizes them. This practice of the Minister appointing boards and managing directors of their choice needs to come to an end. It is clear that the people appointed have their allegiance to one who appointed them and can therefore not be professional, fair or balanced in the way stories are presented in their medium. It is very clear from the Minister’s words and actions that the people to be appointed will bear allegiance to him and the PF and he will be able to manipulate them to carry out his wishes. As the old saying goes, “he who pays the piper, calls the tune.” 7 As quoted in a paper on ‘Promoting Good Governance through Freedom of Access to Information and Censorship of Information’ by Eness Miyanda Chitumbo and Fabian Kakana. 12