By Respite Kaoma,
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia is conducting a training programme for journalists on the Copperbelt aimed at strengthening the use of the Access to Information (ATI) Law in news reporting.
The training seeks to equip journalists with the skills to effectively request and utilise public information in order to promote transparency, accountability, and informed public discourse, as the law takes full effect in June.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the programme, MISA-Zambia Program Associate for Policy and Advocacy, Margaret Phiri, emphasized the importance of the training in enhancing professional journalism and improving access to credible information from public institutions.
Journalists attending the training, including Ackim Mugala, Chatula Kangali, and Stamfranc Zulu, welcomed the initiative, noting that the ATI law will significantly improve their work and contribute to greater transparency in governance.
The Access to Information Act, which was assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema in December 2023, grants citizens, the media, and civil society organisations the right to access information held by public authorities
