by Emmanuel Kunda, Lusaka, Zambia, 23 April 1997
THEME = MEDIA
In condemning the Bill (which the government has since withdrawn), journalists from the Zambia Union of Journalists (ZUJ), the Commonwealth Press Union (CPU), the Press Association of Zambia (PAZA), the Zambia Media Women's Association (ZAMWA), the Zambia Independent Media Association (ZIMA), and the Media Resource Centre (MRC), were joined by a number of well wishers and sympathizers such as: Women for Change, the Zambia Independent Monitoring Team, the Zambia Civic Education Association, the Law Association of Zambia and Afronet (a human rights organisation).
"We pledge to continue fighting this obnoxious law until it is withdrawn. We are fighting for the survival of journalism and democracy in Zambia", said Robby Makayi, chairman of the urgently constituted media liaison committee. "We call upon all journalists to remain united, and rally behind this noble cause. We also call on all Zambians and other democratic forces to join this just struggle".
The Bill proposes among other things, that all journalists operating in Zambia, must be licensed by the Media Council before they can practice. To qualify for licensing, a journalist must have attained the age of 18 and be a holder of a Bachelor of Mass Communication Degree from a university or any other institution recognised by the Council. Or, he should have completed at least a two-year course in journalism or an equivalent course.
According to David Mpamba, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, who presented the draft Bill to the public, the Bill is meant to uphold journalist's professional ethics.
Rejecting the Bill, journalists say the Bill is an attempt by the government to impose archaic restrictions on the Media. The Post newspaper quotes Makayi as saying: "Apart from having the Bill imposed on us, we are opposed to having a legislated Media Council, especially one which makes Press Freedom a criminal act. Journalists will be forced to surrender their rights to the scrutiny of a government-appointed body".
The Times of Zambia (April 17), quotes Arlene Render, US Ambassador to Zambia, as having expressed her government's opposition to the intended legislation. In a verbal exchange with Michael Sata, Minister without Portfolio, the Ambassador said that the United states will fight against any legislation hindering the Media in its lawful business.
Olisa Agbakuba is Afronet's president. Visiting Zambia from Nigeria, he condemned the Bill as being a step backwards in democracy. "The media is an instrument for social change and should not be suppressed".
Addressing newsmen in Kitwe, the Zambia Union of Journalists' General Secretary, Offering Kajimalwendo, described the Bill as "intimidatory and an attempt to silence journalists".
Although the government has withdrawn the Bill, journalists fear that the government may sneak the Bill back into Parliament and pass it into law. They've already made such a move for the Land and Constitution Amendment Acts of 1995 and 1996 respectively. Only these occasions, the government withdrew the Bills because of public disapproval, only to whisk them back into Parliament and get them passed by that body.
Makayi now warns the public: "We are not going to be hoodwinked into silence by these worn out tactics. We call on journalists, the public and the international community to continue demanding the total withdrawal of this undemocratic Bill".
While agreeing with the State that there has been some brazen disregard of professional ethics by some independent media practitioners, the Times of Zambia, in its editorial of 16 April, warns the State against censorship. "Putting restraints on publishing, regardless of whatever these restraints take, is considered to be censorship, as they restrict the freedom of expression - a fundamental liberty which constitutes the bedrock of any viable democracy". The Editorial calls on media organisations to "ensure quickly that a functional, self regulatory body is put in place without any further procrastination, to stave off the looming threat of legal sanctions".
END