TODAY, journalists from across Zambia have yet again joined their counterparts globally in commemorating World Press Freedom Day.
World Press Freedom Day falls annually on May 3, and it remains an important day on the calendar of every media practitioner in Zambia and beyond.
This day is an invariable reminder to everyone that journalists play a critical role in the preservation of goodwill and a unified society as Zambia has been over the last 50 years.
Unfortunately, the current scenario under which members of the Press are operating in Zambia today falls short of satisfying.
For a long time now, Government’s past and present have denied the media fraternity the right to freedom in executing their duties through an Act of Parliament.
The Freedom of Information Bill (FoI) is yet to be tabled before the Legislature, meaning that journalists are still deprived of their full right of access to gather and disseminate information.
Though the current constitution grants freedom of expression to every member of the public, there is still a deficiency in policies protecting the rights of journalists.
Enacting the FoI Bill must give journalists the consent to report about any issue of human interest and will also grant them access to information regardless of the parties involved.
The reason any Government is reluctant to enact the FoI, is that it will avail journalists with “too much” information, leaving the State with no say.
Certain documents are regarded as top State secrets and rightly so because disclosing their content could be hazardous to national security.
For instance; no Government official will be willing to disclose information about the current state of Zambia’s armoury because such information is not meant for the public domain.
If suffices to say however, that the sort of Press freedom journalists are calling for here is one which gives them the right to report freely without third party interference.
The local press, especially State owned cannot criticise the Government of the day thus depriving the public of information one way or the other.
Self-censorship is one of the elements threatening the growth of the Zambian media industry today because journalists fail to publish information for fear of what my happen to them.
Publishing any information critical of the ruling Government at anytime spells grave consequences for journalists and this impedes professionalism.
A free press is vital to development because it helps people make informed decisions when they are faced with hard hitting circumstances in life.
Government needs to expedite the pace of removing the shackles that still inhibit the freedom of information for the press in Zambia to operate freely.
Government must promote the enactment of laws that guarantee a favourable operating environment for the press because quick implementation of these reforms will guarantee freedom of information for all.
The relevant authorities must see to it that political party cadres and members of the public refrain from attacking members of the press and other media workers.
If there any grievances one has against the press, they should seek redress using the right procedures such as the courts of law.
There is urgent need to improve the working conditions of journalists in the county.
This has remained a going concern that needs immediate attention and media bodies like the Press Association of Zambia and Zambia Union of Journalists must collaborate effectively with Government to see to it that this situation is transformed for the better.
Improving the working environment of journalists will enhance service delivery among media practitioners and contribute to the information of the uninformed.
Thumbs up to every journalist and lets us all endevour to remain professional as we execute our noble duty.
Happy World Press Freedom Day!
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