Malawi's Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Shadric Namalomba, announced that 40 percent of the country's ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) are in compliance with the Access to Information (ATI) Act. This revelation came during the fourth Annual Media and Access to Information Conference (Amatic) held in Lilongwe. The ATI Act has been operational for six years, and Namalomba emphasized that the current compliance rate indicates more work is needed to ensure public institutions meet their obligations under the law.
Namalomba urged MDAs to go beyond appointing information officers and focus on implementing effective record management systems, proactive disclosure of information, updated information manuals, and prompt responses to information requests. He stressed that access to information should be viewed as a public service obligation and a cornerstone of good governance. The minister's comments highlight the need for improved implementation of the ATI Act to promote transparency and accountability in the public sector.
Civil society and media organizations have reported difficulties in obtaining information from public institutions. The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) executive director, Michael Kaiyatsa, disclosed that his organization has made several requests for information without receiving responses. He cited a specific request for a memorandum of understanding between Malawi and the United States on a health financing package, which was only accessed through a partner in the US.
Kaiyatsa attributed the challenges in accessing information to a prevalent culture of secrecy in the public service, which undermines the principles of open government. He expressed concern that such experiences reflect a broader issue of non-compliance with the ATI Act. The CHRR's struggles in obtaining information from public institutions highlight the need for improved compliance and implementation of the law.
Media Council of Malawi chairperson Jolly Ntaba echoed Kaiyatsa's sentiments, stating that low compliance among public institutions affects journalism, particularly when reporters seek information on critical issues. Ntaba noted that despite having good policies, the biggest problem lies in implementation, and it remains challenging for journalists to access public information, especially when it is critical.
Malawi Human Rights Commission director for civil and political rights Peter Chisi reported that public use of the ATI law has increased since it became operational in 2020. However, he acknowledged that public awareness and institutional compliance still require improvement. Chisi's comments suggest that while progress has been made, more work is needed to ensure the effective implementation of the ATI Act.
The Media Council organized the conference in collaboration with the Malawi Human Rights Commission, CHRR, and Gender and Justice Unit under the theme 'Upholding integrity in the digital age: The role of access to information in addressing information disorder'. The conference aimed to promote the importance of access to information in promoting good governance and addressing information disorder in the digital age.
Key points
- Low compliance rate among MDAs with the ATI Act
- Challenges in accessing information from public institutions
- Need for improved implementation and awareness of the ATI Act
