SECTOR 1

The Mung’omba version included progressive clauses on freedom of expression
(Article 55), access to information (Article 56), freedom of the media (Article 57),
freedom not to disclose sources (Article 58) and the independence of public media
(Article 59). Media bodies such as the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Zambia chapter, the Press Association of Zambia (PAZA), the Zambia Union of
Journalists (ZUJ) and the Zambia Media Women Association (ZAMWA), all of
which contributed to the draft, were in agreement with the new additions.
However, in March 2011, the latest draft failed to win a two-thirds approval in
parliament and thus the process has stalled.
“There is a sense that the country has gone backwards. Citizens, and journalists
specifically, need to be more vigilant. As a country, we have been too docile.”
Zambia is to hold presidential and parliamentary elections by October 2011,
although no date had been set at the time of writing this report ( July 2011).1

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator.

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score:

2.1 (2005 = 2.0; 2007 = 2.3; 2009 = 2.5)

1.2
The right to freedom of expression is practised
and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their
rights without fear.
There is a sense that citizens in Zambia are asserting their right to freedom of
expression, especially through the country’s many radio phone-in programmes.
However, journalists are not so free and freedom of expression within the media
is generally limited.
“On radio, people speak their minds and generally identify themselves. Only a few
use pseudonyms and express themselves with fear. However, you never get this
freedom of expression from the media, especially the state media.”
1 At the time of going to print, the election has already taken place on the 20th September 2011.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2011

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