Journalists in Lusaka have marked World Press Freedom Day with a firm stance against statutory regulation.
Journalist Jessie Bwalya argued that Zambia already has sufficient regulatory bodies, which she says are enough to suppress press freedom.
Media Owners Association of Zambia President, Costa Mwansa, questioned the motives behind the Zambia Institute of Journalism Bill introduced years after stakeholders had pushed for self-regulation.
He has challenged whose interests the Bill truly serves.
And Media Self-Regulation Council Chairperson, Kennedy Mambwe, revealed that a petition is underway to urge the government to withdraw what he called an “imposter of a Bill.”
Meanwhile, Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, Johan Hallenborg, praised the recent enactment of the Access to Information Act, calling it a step forward in strengthening digital rights and protecting journalists.
This year’s theme is: “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”
By Elfie Mwale Shampande
