African Media Barometer Zambia

Hailed as one of Africa’s success stories, Zambia is regarded as an attractive investment opportunity, considering the country’s steady economic growth and relatively stable environment after the reintroduction of multi-party politics in 1991. Celebrated as an example of democratic progress, the 2011 general election saw the exit of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) after a 20-year grip on power, when the Patriotic Front (PF) became the new ruling party. The excitement and hope for positive changes for the media environment subsided soon after elections, as the gleaming image is tarnished by civil society activists, church leaders, opposition politicians and sections of the media criticizing the new government for clamping down on voices of dissent. Political issues continue to dominate the mainstream media, and diversity of content in the print media remains limited. Investigative stories are sporadic and often lack depth and analysis.

There is awareness and recognition in the media sector that professional standards are steadily declining and attempts are being made to address this situation by both the Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) and the Media Liaison Committee (MLC). Great strides have been made in the area of self-regulation, which has narrowed the divide between state and privately owned media as they unite to commit to the establishment of the self-regulatory body, the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC). The creation of ZAMEC was a highly consultative process that took a long time, and was often controversial; but consensus was finally reached. ZAMEC now has a council, a code of conduct, and a constitution in place, but it is experiencing “teething problems”.