Government says Zambia is a strong proponent of freedom of expression, freedom of the media and public access to information, as fundamental pre-requisites for sustainable social and economic development and democracy.
Speaking when he addressed the 36th Session of the United Nations Committee on Information in New York, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Joseph Katema said the Zambian Government has embarked on a wide range of measures to reform and reposition the country’s media industry.
This is according to a statement released to the media in Lusaka by the First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations Chibaula Silwamba.
Dr. Katema said the reforms would enable the media to play its full and rightful role in national
development.He said principle among the measures includes the ongoing process to enact the Access to
Information Bill.
“At the heart of this right is the recognition that in a democracy, the Government is only the custodian of information and its true owners are the people,” Dr Katema said. “Among other merits, the Access to Information law, enhances public scrutiny and participation in national affairs and helps in combating corruption and wrongdoing by those entrusted with the custody of public assets and interests.”
Dr Katema, who is also Chief Government spokesperson, said since the time Zambia liberalized the airwaves in 1991, the country now has over 70 community and commercial radio stations and about 10 television stations.
He told the United Nations Member States that Zambia has several private newspapers and magazines, print and online, that significantly widened and deepened public access to information.The Minister stated that Zambia has established the Independent Broadcasting Authority, a statutory body responsible for investment and management of the country’s broadcasting sector.
“Riding on Government’s hands-off approach in the operations of the media sector, journalists and other media practitioners in Zambia have since formed an independent, non-statutory and self-regulatory mechanism to promote ethical and professional conduct among themselves,” the Chief Government Spokesperson said. “These and other measures, represent the Zambian Government’s unwavering commitment to providing a conducive environment for the growth of a free, professional and independent media in the country.”
The Minister expressed the Government’s appreciation to UN Member States for electing Zambia to the Committee on Information bureau to represent the African Group.
He also said Zambia was pleased to have been elected chair of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) Group and pledge to continue working closely with fellow Member States in making the world a better place to live.
The Minister commended the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) for fostering global peace and understanding through information dissemination.He said Zambia was grateful to the DPI for its timely dissemination of deliberations and activities of the UN and the Member States.He said the Zambian Government would like to strengthen its cooperation with the DPI for the benefit of its people.
While in New York, Dr Katema will hold meetings with UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Mr Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal and his directors, the Chairperson of the Committee on Information Mrs Lyutha Al- Mughairy and tour the UN news and media division, among other high-profile engagements.
Which Zambia is Katema talking about? The one that banned ZWD? The one that threaten people with different views to Sata.The one that arrests journalists over trumped up charges?Did this guy use taxpayers monies to go lie to the UN in New York.Anyway enjoy shopping in NY at our expense
Anarchy is not freedom of speech. Everyone has got a right to privacy unless it is in conflict with the public norms. Remember where your rights end is where my rights start from. Zambia is a great nation. Insulting the president is not a right but a criminal offence.
@ Njalamimba Musonda
Can you please enlighten us on legal interpretation of “insulting”?
@142, I was going to ask the exact same question. What worries me in Zambia is we have levelled to very parochial truths. We think religion means Christianity; we believe an unfamiliar English word is an insult, etc. It is just a confused state of affairs. Alo Njalamimba, twalushe butuka!
@ Kalok
Only REAL daily insult comes from the Government which is insulting people intelligence.
Words sometimes fail me when it comes to PF, its hopeless supporters, the clueless dunderhead in statehouse and his bunch of useless ministers. Words absolutely fail me.
This d33ull doc is being used to paint Zambia white yet here the American Embassy is busy watching.
FUEL AT K5/Ltr
Yes you read right that’s what am offering to Zambia I have been signing this song for the last 2 years and no one seems to want and work with me. Now all my information is dotted all over the internet just go on Google and in the search space put “Samson tembo”. I was even in the post newspaper where I offered govt 30% shares in my $3bn fuel project all I need is a $2.4m to start the ball rolling .Zambia imagine all the plastics and the rubbers you throw away all of a sudden have value more than gold..yes its called waste management .
EIZ should be closed as I have been in communication with them for close to 2 years now but just stories.
ZANIS have been a huge disappointment as the keep interviewing me but no show.
ZNBC should have taken the lead roll but no show just…
Blowing your own trumpet, that statement should come from MISA and other independent bodies. Freedom of expression and free media go hand in hand, including the freedom to assemble, freedom to peacefully protest against govt and any other. All these freedoms are non-existent in Zed, ba shushushu are working overtime and PF thugs for hire is the only employment for miles around available to our jobless youths.
LIAR!. Isnt this the same government thats holding a passport for one Journalist Thomas Zgambo in defiance of a court order? This after locking him up on trumped up charges not so long ago. Katema should feel ashamed of himself. Whereby he was once a man of integrity he has now succumbed to politics of the belly aand LIES damn LIES.
While the whole world is appalled at the NSA spying allegations, and the SUN in the UK was closed in an embarrassed huff after the phone tapping scandal, we have Chuumbwe et al parading their foolishness on national media threatening citizens and disclosing that they are spying on the citizen. WHAAAT???? A POLITICAL PARTY is spying on the citizens of the country whose government they have been entrusted to take care of???? And now this assurance???? Whaaaat????
dr katema do you seriously think the outside world is blind and deaf to the happenings in this country;;;;;;;;;;;;; you should be ashamed of lying;;;;;;;;;;;one day you will be made liable for the lies you are telling:
At least Zambia is represented on this world forum,what freedom of expression do people want when some bloggers here are even able to call our head of state “dunderhead and all kinds of trash in the name of freedom of speech” shameful.
How you want to call them:
Exceptionally bright?
Progressive?
Learned;\?
Democratic?
Law obeying?
Honest?
Trust-worthed?
Understanding?
Compassionate?
Incorruptible?
Please take your pick and let see who will agree with you.
If Dr. Whatever, thought that Zambia was an island, now is the time to change the attitude and enlighten his Panga Family that they should respect the freedom of speech in Zambia among all the people, including opposition; Christian bodies; NGOs; Journalists; and etc.