Report ethically, media urged
THE Judiciary desires to see a media that reports ethically on matters affecting the institution, particularly cases handled by the court, Justice Jones Chinyama has said.
Speaking during a workshop on sensitisation of the media on “Ethical Court Reporting” Justice Chinyama said the media had the responsibility to inform the public on what was happening in the communities around them including how they were being governed without malice.
He said where issues in governance ended up in court, the public was entitled to information about them as well as the outcome of such matters. “In the public domain to which we subscribe, the public is entitled to know about what is happening in the communities around them including how they are being governed. Where the occurrences in the communities or issues in governance end up as court cases, the public should be informed about them and the outcomes.
“Courts are there to serve the public. Article 118 (1) of the constitution of Zambia underscores this percept when it declares that “The judicial authority of the republic derives from the people of Zambia and should be exercised in a just manner and such exercise shall promote accountability,” he said.
However, Justice Chinyama recognised the importance of the media in engendering timely communication of court decisions to other players in the legal system which in turn contributed to consistency in court decisions. He said the public would only have confidence in the judiciary if the reporting of court cases was balanced and factual.
Meanwhile, State Counsel Dr John Mulwila, cautioned court reporters on opinionated or evaluated judgement in court reporting which did not pass the ethical standard test.
Dr Mulwila further said when reporting on court proceedings or matters that threatened the security of the state or impacted on the privacy of an individual, a reporter must always be mindful of the danger of crossing the red line otherwise, the reporter was liable to legal sanctions.
“A person enjoying absolute privilege may, however, be found liable to punishment under any other act or statute in force within Zambia, for intake under the Defamation Act,” he said.
And a media trainer, Richard Mulonga, recommended the judiciary to leverage and take up its space to the opportunities available in new media as a way of creating interface with the media and society at large. Mr Mulonga also emphasised that the judiciary should amend certain laws such as cameras in court and allow journalists to be in chambers in cases of public interest.