World Press Freedom Day

Each year on May 3, the United Nations General Assembly has set aside as the World Press Freedom Day. This year’s theme was Access to information: The right to Know.

The media fraternity and all its supporters celebrate the fundamental rights as articulated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is a day that journalists celebrate their right to access information, defend themselves against attacks and remember those that have lost their live while trying to disseminate information to the public.

However journalists worldwide are still having difficulties in accessing information from both private and public sectors.

During the World Press Freedom Day media stakeholders’ conference in Zambia, Professor Franz Kruger, the Ombudsman for the South African newspapers, Mail and the Guardian said modern societies cannot function unless there is free flow of information. Therefore, there can never be democracy if there is no free media.

Supporting media self regulation, Prof. Kruger says freedom meant responsibility adding that self regulation was the only mechanism that balances the two principles. He called on the Zambian government to allow for a self regulated media and at the same time urged journalists to ensure the principal of accountability was kept at all times.

“Accountability is the core principle to ensure journalists take responsibilities of what they write,” said Prof. Kruger. He added that self regulation came with practical benefits which include building relationship with audience, speed in judgments and accessibility, among others.

In his presentation, on Imperatives of Media Self Regulation: examples from the SADC countries, the professor mentioned that “media freedom is indivisible and a state regulated media is not a free media. All countries have laws that prohibit some extremely undesirable material like hate speech. Self regulation offers a channel to resolve complains but does not offer a guarantee that a mistake can’t be made.”

Prof. Kruger, who is also a member of the South Africa Press Appeals Panel, called on the government to give chance to Zambia Media Council (Zamec), proposed to be launched for self regulation, adding that International bodies looked around for media laws set up in different countries.

Zamec was to be launched on the World Press Freedom Day but was postponed after the Zambian government raised serious issues. Earlier on, the minister for Information and Broadcasting, Hon. Reverend Ronnie Shikapwashia had alleged that Zamec was a reincarnation of the defunct Media Council of Zambia (Mecoz) which was considered to be toothless in executing its intended duties.

During the two day conference organized by the Media Liaison committee to discuss and adopt the draft Zamec constitution by media stakeholders, a section of participants had demanded that the media fraternity goes ahead with plans to launch the body.

However, Mr. Amos Chanda, the spokesperson of the committee clarified that they had decided to postpond the launch to allow the information minister to reflect on the draft document discussed.

“We will deliver the document and allow him to reflect on it, considering the issues he had raised have been addressed in this draft,” Mr. Chanda said.

In her address at the WPFD ceremony held at a local hotel in Lusaka, Acting Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya(Mr. Shikapwashia was out of the country on official duty) said the Government was not opposed to media regulation but was merely demanding for responsible journalism.

The Acting Minister also mentioned that the government would bring the Freedom of Information Bill back to parliament for discussion. The clause was deleted in the current draft constitution, an act that did not go down well with media practitioners.

Mrs Siliya said the media was part of the nation adding that both the media and government had a role of serving the nation to ensure social development.

She assured the media fraternity that the government would ensure they operated in a violent free environemtn to ensure dissemination of news to citizens so that they could get involved in issues of national development through the media.

Earlier on, speaking at the same function, World Press Freedom Day national organizing committee chairperson Sheik Chifuwe had alleged that the media continue to be harassed by known people yet the government had the responsibility of protecting them.

He also urged the government to recall the Freedom of Information Bill adding that it was a panacea to the society and would promote democracy. He commended the whistle blower bill which he said would enhance media democracy.

A statement from Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) read by a representative from the regional office in Namibia, Ms Wilkie Sampa, re-affirmed MISA’s stand and support for the launch and urged the government to give the body a chance.

Meanwhile, US charge d' affairs Michael Koplovsky called on Zambians to appreciate the freedom of information.

In his speech during the stakeholders’ conference, Mr. Koplovsky said the public should cease the opportunity provided by the media to get information adding that this encouraged social development.

“Freedom of expression encourages social development, thrash corruption, holds government accountable and ensures checks and balances in the government,” he said.

Mr. Koplovsky encouraged journalists to report facts saying this contributed to an effective government. He added that the power to mould future was in the hands of journalists, who he however warned to be responsible while discharging their duties.

“Journalism goes with responsibility. It is just like any other profession. He digs dipper by informing facts and should be held accountable for all information that flows to the public,” he said.