SNAPSHOT SNAPSHOT ZAMBIA I n 2013, MISA Zambia had a number of successes in furthering their campaign for broadcasting diversity. This included lobbying government to make the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) operational – this is intended to usher in an independent regulatory body. A Director General was appointed on 26 June 2013 to oversee the operations. Other positive developments included the adoption of the amended Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) constitution, the appointment of its board and the orientation of the board and handover of power by the loose media association alliance to the ZAMEC NGC. MISA Zambia made successful submissions to the Draft Digital Migration Policy, Draft Media and Information Policy and the Draft 2013 Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) editorial policy. The story on access to information in Zambia is not so bright. The process to enact legislation stalled on two separate occasions in the first six months of 2013, despite promises from the ruling party to table the long awaited Access to Information Bill in Parliament. Despite delays in the enactment of an ATI law, ATI articles for Zambia’s new draft ZIMBABWE Supporting community broadcasters Constitution were adopted by the National Constitutional Convention, held in April 2013 and attended by the MISA Zambia Chairperson. During the period under review, MISA Zimbabwe assisted community radio stations to produce prerecorded community radio broadcasts to build their capacity and advance the campaign for licensing community radio stations in Zimbabwe. MISA Zimbabwe noted a marked improvement in the overall production of the programmes from the selection of topics, structuring of the programmes and how discussions and interviews were handled. MISA Zambia successfully hosted its 11th MISA Zambia Annual Media Awards on 26 April 2013, which attracted over 250 guests. On 17 April 2013, MISA Zambia participated in the launch of the Lukulu FM Community Radio Station. The station is a collaboration between Diakonia, the Council of Churches in Zambia, thr Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), MISA Zambia, the Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) and the Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL). It also falls under the project Building Democratic Culture in rural communities, which is funded by the European Union and Sweden. Media ethics workshop On 22 June 2013, MISA Zimbabwe held a media ethics workshop focusing on how journalists should report and cover the national elections scheduled for 31 July 2013. World Press Freedom Day march, held by MISA Zimbabwe on 3 May 2013. Photo: MISA Zimbabwe images, 2013. M ISA Zimbabwe’s 2013 programme was largely influenced and informed by the endorsement of the Draft Constitution by the Zimbabwean Parliament following the majority ‘Yes Vote’ in the referendum held on 16 March 2013, and the subsequent signing of the draft into law by President Robert Mugabe. The Chapter intensified its calls for the repeal of laws that impinge on media freedom, freedom of expression and citizens’ right to access to information in line with the Constitution. Some of MISA Zimbabwe’s activities around this included the following. Calling for better legislation MISA Zimbabwe produced fact sheets on regional and international instruments on citizens’ right to freedom of expression and access to information as a lobby tool for the repeal of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other offending laws. The Chapter continued to educate citizens on their right to access to information, holding regular meetings across the country. 42 The workshop was facilitated by veteran journalist and editor of the Zimbabwe Independent Dumisani Muleya. Thirty-three people from various media organisations across Zimbabwe attended the workshops, which focused on developing skills and knowledge on how to report on elections in a way that fosters democracy. It was recognised that media play an important role in information dissemination, and as such journalists should understand the environment in which they operate, the legislation and regional and international benchmarks on election coverage. Journalists were acquainted with the SADC Guidelines on Media Coverage of Elections as well as safety and security tips. Annual Media Freedom Awards On 29 June 2013, MISA Zimbabwe awarded its 2013 Media Freedom Award to John Masuku, a veteran journalist with Radio Voice of the People (VoP). The radio station was bombed in 2002 and its perpetrators are yet to be brought to justice. The award was given to Masuku in recognition of his immense contribution to the struggle for media freedom, access to information and freedom of expression. 43