SECTOR 4

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:

2.2 (2005 = 2.5; 2007 = 2.8; 2009 = 2.5)

4.3
The media cover the full spectrum of events,
issues and cultures, including business/economics,
cultural, local and investigative stories.
The mainstream media does not cover the full spectrum of events and issues
equally. As much as 80 per cent of what is reported in the mainstream media is
said to be political, with the rest being divided between business,
entertainment and sport. There is virtually no investigative
reporting and very little analytical content. Much of the reporting
in Zambia is event-driven and in a “he said, she said” style.
“...virtually no

investigative
reporting and
very little
analytical
content.”

“There is not enough specialisation by Zambian journalists in
certain topics – most journalists cover everything… Twenty years
ago, we had more journalists in our newsrooms. But the industry
has shrunk as circulation has shrunk and so have resources. Now
there are only a handful of news journalists who have to cover all
topics.”

In addition, each media house covers issues selectively and from
their point of view, so while there may be some cultural stories,
the state media, for example, will give such a story a pro-government slant.
“In the state media, almost everything is politicised: even business, sports and
gender!”
Community radio stations concentrate on community issues, including politics
and religion.

58

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2011

Select target paragraph3