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A consortium of seven media organisations has called on the government to withdraw the proposed Zambia Institute of Journalism Bill and instead strengthen the existing media self-regulation mechanism.
The organisations noted that journalists across the country were already operating under the Code of Ethics established by the Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia (MSRCZ), and questioned the motive behind introducing statutory regulation.
In a joint statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, the organisations expressed shock over the sudden emergence of a new bill which they say is designed to curtail media freedom.
“As stakeholders in the media industry, we were not consulted in the drafting of the Zambia Institute of Journalism Bill. We wish to register our deep regret and strongest opposition to this proposed legislation,” the statement reads.
They further observed that this is the second attempt to impose statutory media regulation, following the shelving of the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) Bill two years ago after a similar backlash from media stakeholders.
The organisations reminded President Hakainde Hichilema and Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa of their repeated public assurances that the government would not pursue statutory regulation of the media.
“Through several engagements with journalists and other stakeholders at different levels, a media self-regulatory framework was developed and endorsed by the government,” the statement adds.
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They warned technocrats in the Ministry of Information and Media against misleading government into believing that the media fraternity supports statutory regulation, when it does not.
“No journalist worth their salt can accept to be used to rubber-stamp a process that undermines press freedom,” they said, adding that the media’s longstanding demand has been for the repeal of archaic laws that hinder independent and investigative journalism.
The consortium includes the Media Owners Association of Zambia, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zambia), Catholic Media Services, BBC Media Action, Panos Institute Southern Africa, Free Press Initiative, and the Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia.
According to reports, the proposed Zambia Institute of Journalism Bill seeks to establish a statutory council to license journalists and regulate their conduct and practice.
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