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.
No comments :
Post a Comment