By 
Zambia commemorated World Press Freedom Day on Saturday amid visible divisions within its media fraternity, with parallel events reflecting growing tensions over media regulation and freedom of expression.
One gathering, led by MISA Zambia, the Media Owners Association of Zambia (MOAZ), and private media journalists, was held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
A separate event, organized by the Media Liaison Committee, took place at the Government Complex — a clear indication of the fractures within the country’s media community.
This year’s global theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” fueled intense debate around the twin challenges of digital innovation and mounting regulatory pressures.
At the MISA Zambia-led event, MOAZ president Costa Mwansa voiced strong opposition to the proposed Zambia Institute of Journalism Bill, warning it risks dividing the media sector and threatening press freedom.
Read more: Independent Broadcasting Authority urges ethical use of AI in operations
He urged unity in addressing persistent industry concerns, including poor working conditions and chronic salary delays.
Mwansa also announced plans to establish an anonymous hotline for reporting unethical media practices.
He criticized government’s reluctance to recognise media as a key economic sector, citing the absence of tax incentives for journalists.
Reaffirming MOAZ’s stance, Mwansa declared that self-regulation remained vital to safeguarding media independence.
Echoing this sentiment, MISA Zambia Chairperson, Lauren Chisanga Mwanza, called for swift regulation of artificial intelligence use in journalism, warning that unregulated AI could erode ethical standards and jeopardize the integrity of public information.
Meanwhile, Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia (MSCZ) Chairperson, Kennedy Mambwe, condemned government’s delay in operationalizing the Access to Information (ATI) Act.
He further cautioned against efforts to impose statutory media regulation, describing them as attempts to divide and weaken the profession.
Veteran journalist Fred M’membe added his voice to the concerns, accusing the government of reviving long-settled issues under the guise of statutory reform.
“We resolved this 30 years ago,” M’membe said, recalling past struggles for press independence.
In a show of international solidarity, Swedish Ambassador Johan Hallenborg commended the resilience of Zambia’s journalists and urged responsible AI use that does not compromise press freedom.
“The courage to speak truth to power must be protected, especially in a digital age,” he said.
As the nation marked the day under the shadow of division, the calls for unity, self-regulation, and ethical vigilance in a rapidly changing media environment resonated as both a challenge and a necessity for Zambia’s press.
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