Government has reaffirmed its commitment and determination to continue creating beneficial environments and offering support in order for the media to flourish.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo said his ministry has advanced in drafting a number of policy documents among them the communication policy and the media development policy which are supporting the growth of the industry and public access to information.
The permanent secretary said this during the commemoration of the World Press Freedom at East Park in Lusaka which was held under the theme “Media for Democracy, Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation.
He also clarified that government has no intentions to regulate the media but the media should regulate themselves through a mechanism established by themselves and backed by law.
Speaking during the same event chairperson for World Press Freedom Day Local Organizing Committee, Enock Ngoma pointed out that the media has great potential to contribute to a culture of sustainable peace and democracy to the nation.
He indicated that tremendous progress has been made in efforts for the media to come up with self-regulatory framework that will cover the electronic and print media.
Mr Ngoma commended the media fraternity for coming together to celebrate this important day.
Part1
Looks like that call is falling on deaf ears. The world as you know it has changed in terms of news coverage and concern over fake news. Government s in America, Britain, Gulf coutries, Russia, Zambia have been hit by fake new calls. CNN, RT, DW, BBC, ABC, FOX, NYTimes, WAPO, Fr24, Aljazeera etcetera both TV and Print media are discussing fake news. Fake news is generally come with social media. Brick and mortar media houses are also finding presence on social media because where people are, businesses follow.
Part2
If where people are businesses follow, we may have to live with the fact that we do not need to worry where we want to get news from. Social media online or Radio and TV station. Whereas we may not advocate for an abusive Radio or TV station, no law may sufficiently regulate the internet and its host – social media. Social media is fast mode for news delivery world over. But there are laws sufficient or not to proactively ensure media houses do abide by MEDIA LAWS. Government need to constantly revisit the laws to accommodate and let in effects of social media in general. Whereas one can express himself freely(including insulting) on social media, the same is a “taboo” on Radio and TV as we know it. If you can draw that line and proactively advocate for the adherence to…
…effective MEDIA ETHICS, the better for Zambia. It is a real challenge.
If social media platforms like FACEBOOK, GOOGLE and TWITTER can be tasked to sufficiently regulate HATE SPEECH, BIGOTRY, AND ANTISEMITISM online by Congress in America, do you think a Radio or TV station in Zambia today can be left to allow the same vices or their equivalent in the name of Freedom of Speech or Expression. No no no. This is the 21st century, so laws must be fine tuned to Zero tolerance for hate speech and strict adherence to Media Ethics.
…effective MEDIA ETHICS, the better for Zambia. It is a real challenge.
If social media platforms like FACEBOOK, GOOGLE and TWITTER can be tasked to sufficiently regulate HATE SPEECH, BIGOTRY, AND ANTISEMITISM online by Congress in America, do you think a Radio or TV station in Zambia today can be left to allow the same vices or their equivalent in the name of Freedom of Speech or Expression. No no no. This is the 21st century, so laws must be fine tuned to Zero tolerance for hate speech and strict adherence to Media Ethics.