SECTOR 2

2.2
Citizens’ access to domestic and international
media sources is not restricted by state authorities.
There are no government restrictions on access to domestic or international media
sources in Zambia. It is interesting to note, however, that the Censorship Board of
Zambia currently exists “only on paper” and is reportedly “being done away with
because it can’t control the inflow of information over the Internet”.

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:

4.8 (2005 = 3.6; 2007 = 4.2; 2009 = 4.0)

2.3
Efforts are undertaken to increase the scope
of circulation of the print media, particularly to rural
communities.
Newspapers in Zambia are largely an urban medium, although small number of
the government newspapers and The Post are delivered to some outlying areas.
In addition, the government has begun a project to set up printing presses in all
the nine provinces, beginning in Chipata, to cut down on transporting printed
newspapers vast distances. The idea is that commercial newspapers will be able to
use these presses as well, rather than sending printed newspapers by road.
Prior to presidential and parliamentary elections, the government also tends to
increase the distribution of its two newspapers, boosting circulation.
“Transporting newspapers around the country for distribution is very costly
because of the bad quality of the rural road network and the high cost of fuel.
Even The Post makes an effort to deliver newspapers to certain rural places, at
a loss. In terms of the number of newspapers being delivered, it’s not worth it,
economically.”

30

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2011

Select target paragraph3