Access to information law coming - government

Government has confirmed that an access to information law is still on the cards, despite questions that similar promises have not borne fruit to date.
At the belated commemoration yesterday of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) keynote speaker said that in addition to numerous actions across government institutions to streamline access to information, the ministry will start working on an access to information law “soon”.
World Press Freedom Day is commemorated globally on 3 May each year. Deputy Director of Print Media Affairs at the MICT, Frans Nghitila, who spoke on behalf of Deputy Minister Stanley Simataa, said the ministry knows there is a “demand out there” for an access to information law. He said the ministry “will soon start working on this law”, adding that all relevant stakeholders will be consulted to ensure that their input is included in the law.
Joseph Ailonga, chairperson of the Editors Forum of Namibia, noted that although Namibia’s high ranking in terms of press freedom “brings hope”, an access to information law needs to be passed “sooner rather than later”.
He added that the self-regulatory bodies currently in place to monitor the press should “continue as the choice of regulation”.

Global recognition
Jean-Paul Ilboudo, who is the head of the UNESCO office in Windhoek, said that over the past 15 years the right of information has been recognised by an increasing number of countries globally, through the adoption of a number of laws ensuring access to information.
In line with this, he called on government “to also adopt a law that guarantees access to information”.
He added that the law “must reflect the fundamental promise that all information held by government and governmental institutions is, in principal, public”.
Ilboudo said such a law would ensure that this information is made available to journalists, researchers and citizens.
He added that the right to information has been linked to increased transparency and a “culture of openness”.
He said when “journalists are empowered to use freedom of information laws, to bring hidden information to light, they can amplify the potential to enhance the accountability of institutions”.
Apart from touching on transparency, Ilboudo mirrored what many speakers said yesterday, namely that freedom to information boosts developmental goals and a participatory democracy.
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, whose message was shared by UN Resident Coordinator Kiki Gbeho, emphasised the important role played by media in achieving developmental goals, specifically those launched under the new Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty.
“Press freedom and the right to information are directly relevant to this agenda. In fact, it will be hard to achieve these development goals without them,” she said.

Good governance
In addition, she said that “receiving and imparting information, both offline and online, is a cornerstone of democracy, good governance, and rule of law”.
Nghitila said government “means business” and is serious about improving accountability and transparency, through a number of goals that form part of the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP), including the soon to be launched whistleblower’ protection law in September.
Nevertheless, he added that these goals “cannot be complete if we do not have an access to information law”.
He emphasised that government “will continue to work hard to improve the media environment and to remove all obstacles that hinder press freedom.
Indeed, a free and independent press is an essential ingredient for democracy and sustainable development, Nghitila added
Jana Hybaskova, EU Ambassador to Namibia, praised Namibia’s free press and the “variety and diversity of opinion”, displayed amongst the numerous media platforms.
She said that while journalists globally face many challenges, including harassment, threats, imprisonment and death, it is important to highlight how media and information “flourishes” in the Southern African region, so as “to show that that best and good practice” in media freedom is doing well on the African continent.
Even so, the ambassador, who has been stationed in several warzones and has seen the price many journalists pay to do their job, emphasised the critical importance of the responsibility that comes with freedom of expression and a free media.
Hybaskova urged the media to think about “how to present the proper information, why and when to present the information”.
She added that “because of the freedom you have, please be more responsible”.
The EU ambassador highlighted the importance of the diplomatic relationship with the media, noting that she will continue to support access to information, while acknowledging the role the media plays in helping to spread information where necessary.