Zambia: Press Must Have More Independence

YESTERDAY'S commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day should remind all of us about the importance of the media in fostering national development as well as democracy.

It is generally agreed that freedom of the Press is cardinal for the growth of any society. All the key players, including farmers and business entrepreneurs, need accurate information to come up with proper decisions.

Even ordinary citizens faced with the task of selecting leaders need information for them to make informed choices and elect leaders who can drive their communities and nations forward.

That is why stakeholders, journalists and politicians included, are agreed that the Press should be given greater independence.

Freedom of the Press and access to information are key ingredients for the success of democracy.

Differences only have to do with the manner in which such freedom can be guaranteed to journalists without putting the security of the nation at risk or straying into the privacy of citizens.

For instance, the Government has stated that it supports the proposed implementation of laws such as the Freedom of Information Bill but would want to have certain structures in place before the law takes effect.

The Government has also challenged the media to come up with a self-regulatory mechanism to ensure that all media houses adhere to the same code of conduct as they perform their duties.

Coming from the observance of the World Press Freedom Day, journalists and other stakeholders, especially the Government, should work together and agree on how best Press freedom can be enhanced for the greater good of both parties.

It is equally an opportunity for us in the media to strengthen our self-regulatory bodies like the Media Council of Zambia so that we do not give an excuse to anybody to introduce other forms of regulation.

Media bodies and the Government should sit down and discuss how best the proposed legislation like the Freedom of Information Bill could be enacted in the interest of national development.
Now is also the time to re-activate the stalled media law reforms whose implementation is key to the attainment of greater media freedom.

Progressive media laws passed by Parliament should be made operational for the benefit of the nation.

The Press needs to enjoy freedom for journalists to play the critical role of fostering dialogue for mutual understanding, reconciliation and development. link...