Mass media in Zambia
Freedoms of expression and of the press are constitutionally guaranteed in Zambia, but the government frequently restricts these rights in practice.
[4] Although the ruling Patriotic Front has pledged to free state-owned media—consisting of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and the widely circulated Zambia Daily Mail and Times of Zambia—from government editorial control, these outlets have generally continued to report along pro-government lines.
[4] The ZNBC dominates the broadcast media, though several private stations have the capacity to reach large portions of the population.
It had denied the state, or anyone els, the ability to harass, penalize, censor, or interfere with any broadcasting company on the basis of an opinion, view, or material that was being published throughout Zambia.
Due to this increased speculation it has ultimately led to the undermining of mass support for the freedom of the press, and the implementation of a regulator body, which could enhance accountability.
[6] Instead the state had decided to implement multiple penal codes in an effort to tighten liberalization on the media throughout Zambia.
[6] With these type of policies and penal codes being adopted by the Zambian government professional journalists are facing multiple barriers to producing real constructive news.
[9] There are a multitude of different Penal codes that the Zambian government has implemented in order to curtail media freedom, and more specifically investigative journalism.
[10] While this does allow the state to curb any hateful, racists, and hurtful speech that might be able to benefit the Zambian society, it also grants the president gate-keeper abilities defining what is best for the public interest and what is not.
[10] Ultimately, The Post, its editor and report were charged with espionage through the means of The State Security Act.
This has increased a sense of democracy, and voice of citizens, where individuals can communicate, post, share, and tag other Zambians in real time.
This newly adopted social media phenomenon has mainly been targeted at the younger, middle class, Zambian population, but has also enhanced the elderly, and poorer communities, capabilities to participate as well.
[12] With this greater increase in accessibility to the internet and social media, listeners are able to be better informed about special events, news, and even politics within the country of Zambia.
[13] The hopes with the ICT policies is to create an attractive market within Zambia that would entice international investors to invest in developing and expanding the telecommunication and information infrastructure.
Applications like WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook were not reachable and it called into question the relationship between the media and the government.
Some of the challenges and concerns that are put forth by journalists outside of the realm of Penal Codes and policies can be heard as; low to inadequate staffing levels, lack of resources, low salaries, inadequate training, inability to access important information from public and private institutions, self censorship due to fear of repercussions and consequences, media outlet ownership type, increasing political violence targeted at journalists, a lack of media awards and recognition to incentives investigative journalism, technological knowledge gaps, and lastly, ethics.
For example, political, good governance, religious, non governmental organizations (NGO's), land, environment, agriculture, pricing, and even exploitation of corporate enterprises and institutions.
What is most interesting about this situation is the fact that a large majority of parliament officials agree that Zambia needs a more liberalized media sector, but the Zambian state is increasingly hesitant in delivering on their opinion.
[12] Radio stations have transformed from simply relaying the current news to a small audience that is confined within a small geographical area to having extended broadband width and range allowing for news to be received throughout the entire country and sometime beyond,[12] as well as radio stations adding the ability for average citizens to engage, participate, and interact with a live broadcast.
[12] to not only actively engage with the radio station, but also other average Zambians throughout the country, as well as important interviewees, such as political leaders, prominent businessmen, and other elites within the state.
There are a wide variety of different types of podcasts, from anything ranging from religious, news, business, economics, sports, and personal content.
Considering the expensive nature of switching to digital programming, the Zambian government sought out the help of foreign investment.
The investment towards the shift was led both by the Zambian government and a leading Chinese media conglomerate, StarTimes, helped provide the digital signals.
There is possible concern, however, that the prospect of new channels has not been used to promote local programs but instead has served to give a platform for Chinese media content.
[26] According to the Information and Broadcast Services Minister Dora Siliya, the ZNBC channels are the most popular among Zambian citizens.
It is important to point out, however, that the literacy rate in Zambia is around 80 percent which explains why broadcast news, television, and radio may be more popular forms of consuming media.
