WAY FORWARD 2. What kinds of activities are needed over the next years? • • • • • A commitment has been made regarding making ZAMEC operational, and the NGC just needs to begin to function. The new NGC members have noticed some issues in the constitution, and these will be taken to the MLC and to the AGM. Discussions are ongoing as to “how we can begin functioning, and address some of these issues later”. There is agreement that ZAMEC has to be member-driven in terms of finance. The MLC is driving this process, and hopes to be done by the end of –October 2013. “What is remaining is employing an ombudsperson. As soon as the MLC starts collecting members’ contributions money, they can get started.” Member contributions are categorised based on income levels, and there is consensus that this is the direction to be taken. Address falling professional standards. Panellists noted that submission with regards to professional standards can be taken to the MLC and addressed there, in order to find a solution to this problem. “At the last MLC meeting, we set out a programme of media law reform, including creating a conducive environment for media institutions to thrive.” The MLC will also lobby for a reduction of taxes on materials for media production. Transformation of the ZNBC into a public broadcaster. There is consensus that a concerted effort from the public, civil society and the unions is required to transform the ZNBC into a public broadcaster. There has been a good start to this process with the analysis conducted by Afrimap. “If this could be made more public or redistributed and discussed locally, that would be important.” There is also a need to engage MPs on the importance of public broadcaster. The ZNBC Act states that it should be a public broadcaster. “If we can have brave people, this would begin the transformation. We need people who can change things.” Panellists noted a need to combine efforts on this issue to garner greater support from outside the media sector. Training. An audit of what training is currently taking place across the board is needed. An assessment of training needs to understand the skills required is also critical. MISA –Zambia has been monitoring this, and the findings should be shared, so that media houses can find ways “to complement each other’s training needs”. MISA-Zambia will be responsible for driving this process, alongside the MLC’s associations/members. Lobbying government on the implementation of ICT Policy. The panel discussion took place at Fringilla Farm lodge, Lusaka, Zambia, on 13-15 September 2013. 74 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2013