STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA In a related development and as follow-up to the Minister’s threat of coming up with government’s own version of media regulation, on 12th December, 2019 the Times of Zambia and The Mast publication carried a headline “don’t make changes to the ZAMEC draft bill – MLC.” It was reported in the two papers that the Media Liaison Committee (MLC) had appealed to government not to make changes to the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) draft Bill on media selfregulation because the document reflected the will of journalists. The papers further reported that MLC Chairperson Mr. Enock Ngoma said the MLC did not want the draft to be changed by any state organ saying the document should only be improved on and only if there is absolute need for improvements to be made by Government. The paper further reported that, Mr. Ngoma said the document was trying to cure quack journalism, fake news, and promote professional journalists that adhere to the code of ethics. He said when ZAMEC comes into operation it would not only regulate the media it would also promote freedom of the media. Mr. Ngoma was further quoted saying that MLC did not want journalists to be taken to court when they erred instead they should be put back on track by the media regulator. In a twist, The Information Minister Ms. Dora Siliya said journalism was important in any society and Government wanted the media to be recognised and respected for what it was. She said Zambian journalists should be professional enough to be trusted by international media that they were capable of doing work at an international standard but in the absence of the professional body, they could not verify the competences of Zambian journalists which was not good for the development of the journalism fraternity in the country. The papers reported that the Minister said Government was concerned because it believed that the role of journalists was important. She said there was need for the journalism profession to distinguish itself through ethical conduct and professionalism. 12