Media bodies given 6-month ultimatum

Vice president George Kunda has challenged media bodies in the country to come up with a draft Bill for self-regulation within six months failure to which the Government will introduce one in Parliament.

He said during a meeting with some media representatives in Lusaka August 6, 2009 that the Government already had a draft policy on the matter, as it could not sit idle while some journalists were violating their professionalism.

He said currently, there was a lot of irresponsible reporting in Zambia and, therefore, there was need to change the scenario.

“The ball is in your court, as soon as possible give us a draft of your blueprint on self-regulation. Otherwise, know that we have a draft legislation which we can present to Parliament any time.

“Come up with a document on self-regulation, let us say within the period of six months. Let us see what you will come up with,” he said.

Kunda told the meeting which included Cabinet and deputy ministers that the Government would look at the media’s blueprint and compare it with what it had and then proceed from there. He said the Government had the responsibility to ensure continued peace and stability in the country and noted that the current situation that had reached physical confrontation was not healthy. He said the Government was committed to media freedom but observed that it equally had an obligation to protect citizens.

On the Freedom of Information Bill, Kunda said the media should put its house in order, adding that “the Government does not want to give a blank cheque to them, by enacting the law before that.”