Shelve Information Bill, legislators recommend

DAILY NEWS Reporters

A SECTION of Members of Parliament (MPs) has urged the government to withdraw the controversial new access to Information Bill 2016 and start a fresh round of consultations to accommodate wider national interests.

The National Assembly resumed debate on the bill on Tuesday, with lawmakers seemingly mixed up by two terminologies - media and information - carried in its content.

A number of MPs had suggested that the new law was not well-crafted as it contained “numerous loopholes that if otherwise used can gag the freedom of press contrary to the country’s constitution.’’

Debating the bill yesterday, Sikonge MP Joseph Kakunda (CCM), said while the intention of the government on the bill was very positive, he was worried on its usage and might, therefore, likely not to attain its intended goal. He said the bill did not offer freedom to the applicants of information, pressing them to only rely on written submissions.

“The law must be clear here. All people should be given the right to choose how they can apply for information ... be it by word of mouth or written pieces.” Section 10 of the bill directs that all applications should be in written format.

But the lawmakers were equally surprised that the feedback to their request can be availed in 30 days. They went on to suggest that the clause be reviewed and hence allow information requested from holding officers to be availed within 24 hours.

Special Seats MP, Ms Riziki Shahari Mngwali (CUF), said in her contribution that “this bill should be shelved to allow broader consultations for the benefit of the nationals.”

According to the MP, Section 10 (4), 6, 19 and 16 of the bill needed to be reviewed/and or removed to enable the law to beam at equality, rights and broader interests of the people.

Another MP, Ms Anatropia Theonest (Special Seats - CHADEMA) noted that the bill had three basic issues, which made it controversial and therefore, fit for shelving. She said the sections in the bill contained bureaucratic tendencies that can take up to 90 days for an applicant to get the information, further arguing that the law contained some forms of segregation, with some group or individuals denied the right to access information.

“We have investors and development partners who are not citizens of this nation. However, Section 4 of the bill allows only citizens to access the information and it just apply on Tanzania Mainland,” she pointed out.

CUF MPs Magdalena Sakaya and Abdullah Mtolea who also contributed to the bill yesterday morning supported the other lawmakers’ plea that the bill needs further checking before being endorsed.

While Ms Sakaya outlined that the law was silent on protections for whistleblowers, it imposes heavy penalties to information officers for giving information contrary to the law. Mr Mtolea said the 15 years’ imprisonment to defaulters will be a burden to the Home Affairs Ministry in taking care of prisoners, suggesting institutionalisation of alternative punitive measures, including suspending officials for a period of two years.