Become truly independent, media told

THE media in Zambia has been challenged to become truly independent in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for an independent and professional media.

Media Liaison Committee (MLC) chairperson, Enock Ngoma, said since the pronouncement came from the Head of State, it must be taken seriously.

In his inaugural speech at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Tuesday, President Hichilema emphasised that during his reign, the media will enjoy the independence and freedom that it deserves and challenged the media fraternity to ensure that the self-regulation process is concluded.

Mr Ngoma urged media houses and journalists to heed to the Presidential challenge by becoming truly independent.

“We particularly call on the public media: the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), the Times of Zambia and the Zambia Daily Mail to heed to the Presidential call by ensuring that they give fair, equal and balanced coverage to all citizens including those with divergent or critical views,” he said in a statement. Mr Ngoma pledged that MLC would conclude the media self-regulation framework and ensure that the draft Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) Bill was quickly enacted into law.

He said that with the goodwill so far shown by the new government, the process would soon be concluded and see the Bill enacted into law.

Mr Ngoma called fo speedy enactment of the Access to Information

Bill, and the repeal and harmonisation of the IBA and ZNBC Acts.

“IBA’s mandate and roles should be clearly spelt out, particularly on closures and suspension of operating licences for electronic media houses. Once this is done, it will also help ZNBC become a true public broadcaster as is the case with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC),” he said.

Mr Ngoma said the MLC totally rejected the idea that IBA, apart from regulating electronic media, should also start regulating print media.