SECTOR 4

“As much as people want to balance gender within the media, the practicalities
are not always so simple. The environment may not be friendly towards women, in
terms of the hours, which are not family-friendly.”
Community radio stations are very selective when it comes to staff and in this
regard ethnicity is an issue.
“Even if you know the language, if you’re not of the right ethnic group, you won’t
get the job. Members of the community will complain that you’re not one of them.”
Within the state media, there appears to be a bias towards those who are “somehow
connected or affiliated to” the ruling party, and those who are not are politically
discriminated against when it comes to employment opportunities.
The panel felt that there were general “no issues” within the media with regard
to religion or disability, however there are few Muslims, for example, or disabled
people within the staff of media organisations.

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:

2.4 (2005 = n/a; 2007 = n/a; 2009 = 3.5)

4.5
Journalists and editors do not practise self–
censorship.
“Journalists
know what
kind of
stories editors
expect...”

60

“Self-censorship in the media is part of our lives.” Self-censorship
is more prevalent in the state media, than the private media, for
reasons already discussed in earlier indicators. The state media
tends to be “100 per cent pro-MMD” and alternative, opposition
views won’t find a voice here.
However, the private media is guilty of this too. After Muvi
TV journalists were harassed by MMD cadres, Information
Minister referred to the attackers as unknown people while his

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2011

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