The Technical Working Group (TWG) on Statutory Media Self-Regulation has mapped out a road map on the set-up of the statutory self-regulation Body- Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC).
In a communique issued to the media, TWG Chairperson Ernest Chanda says the media fraternity in Zambia has during various symposia and conferences endorsed the process and more specifically the change in approach from the voluntary media regulation to statutory self-regulation culminating in the development of the proposed ZAMEC Bill.
Find below the communique.
Communique for immediate release
29 September 2021
TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON STATUTORY MEDIA
SELF-REGULATION MEETS TO PLAN ZAMEC SET UP
The Technical Working Group on Statutory Media Self-Regulation, having met in Kafue from September 27 to 29 to review the proposed ZAMEC set up:
Reviewed the proposed ZAMEC Draft Bill, the Constitution, and the Code of Ethics.
Designed a road map for stakeholder engagement and sensitisation.
The meeting noted that the media fraternity in Zambia has during various symposia and conferences endorsed the process and more specifically the change in approach from the voluntary media regulation to statutory self-regulation culminating in the development of the proposed ZAMEC Bill.
The meeting re-affirmed the resolution of the 2019 Insaka for the establishment of a statutory self-regulatory process.
The meeting resolved that there is need for a broader stakeholder engagement, among them the government, media institutions, academia, governance institutions, corporate institutions, local and international NGOs, parliamentarians and the general public.
In this regard, it was agreed that the process of stakeholder engagement commences immediately with the presentation of the revised Draft ZAMEC Bill, the ZAMEC constitution and the Code of Ethics to the Minister of Information and Media for the process to be expedited.
Further, the meeting resolved to call for a national media Insaka to be held in October 2021 to broaden the engagement process.
The Technical Working Group on Statutory Media-Self Regulation acknowledges and welcomes the positive pronouncements made by President Hakainde Hichilema on media freedom and reforms.
Issued and signed on behalf of the TWG by:
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Ernest Chanda – Chair, TWG on Statutory Media Self-Regulation
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Enock Ngoma – Chair, Media Liaison Committee Chairperson
Contact: 0977883129
TWG Members
Media Liaison Committee
Media Institute of Southern Africa
Zambia Institute of Independent Media Alliance
Free Press Initiative
BBC Media Action
Zambia Media Women Association
Ministry of Information and Media
International Training Programme
Press Association of Zambia
Zambia Union of Broadcasters and other Information disseminators
Zambia Bloggers Network
Bloggers of Zambia
