Mutharika tells off donors

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Peter Mutharika

 …says would not accept their ultimatums on ATI

Malawi President Peter Mutharika says his government will not table the Access to Information (ATI) bill because of ultimatums from the media, donors or civil society organizations but due to its importance to the Malawians.

The Malawi leader made the remarks at Kamuzu Palace, where he met media owners and managers.

At the meeting, the President assured the media in the country of his support but he refused to allow the ATI bill to be tabled in Parliament without cabinet first removing ‘inconsistent’ provisions in the draft law.

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Speaking on behalf of the media managers at the meeting, chairperson for Media Council of Malawi Professor Wiseman Chijere Chirwa said access to information bill will enable citizens to demand development projects and will allow the media to provide Malawians with reliable information.

“The right of access to information protects and promotes the collective good in a country. It is an integral part of human rights,” he said.

“We, therefore, request you as custodian of the Constitution to ensure that this bill is tabled during this March sitting of Parliament.” Chirwa also appealed to the president to restore sections that have been removed from the draft bill since the media were not consulted before the changes were made.

But Mutharika said he will not change the bill since cabinet has already endorsed it.

“I am sorry l cannot do that because if I did it you will call me a dictator I am sorry I totally reject,” he said.

He further said he would not assent to the ATI Bill if Parliament reintroduced provisions which he said are not acceptable. He was however noncommittal as to when the bill will be tabled in the National Assembly.

Last year, government refused to table the ATI bill at the last session of Parliament saying the bill had inconsistencies which needed to be addressed.

Later, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe told Parliament the ATI Bill would be passed in March.