SECTOR 2

2.6
Government promotes a diverse media
landscape with economically viable and independent
media outlets.
As was mentioned in the 2009 AMB report, the Zambian government does not
appear actively to be promoting a diverse media landscape with economically
sustainable and independent media outlets. Government does not sponsor such
operations financially. At the same time, it also does not prevent private investment
in the media industry and it does not block the flourishing of such enterprises.
A state-initiated body, the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission
(CEEC) was established in 2006 to promote the economic empowerment of
targeted citizens. Any small business or prospective business, including media
companies, may apply for loans from the CEEC. Very few media enterprises have
benefited from the CEEC, however.
There are also Constituency Development Funds, to which members of specific
communities can apply for funding of local projects. Media establishments, such
as community radio stations, for example, do not appear to have used this avenue,
however. Most community radio stations are set up with funds from foreign
donors.
“Since 1995, the government has been discussing the establishment of a specific
fund, the Media Development Fund, to support the print media in economically
unviable areas. However, this discussion exists only on paper and to date there has
been no action in this regard.”
The fact that the government has still not implemented the Independent
Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Act of 2002 and the Zambia National Broadcasting
Corporation (ZNBC) Amendment Acts of 2002 and 2010, all of which have been
passed but are not yet functioning as boards have not yet been appointed, is an
indication that the state lacks political will to create a diverse media landscape.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2011

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Select target paragraph3