Media practitioners, partners and stakeholders gathered at the Mika Convention Centre in Chongwe on Friday for the 24th MISA Zambia Platinum and Golden Media Awards Gala Dinner, held under the theme “Upholding Truth, Empowering Voices: Free Media and Responsible AI for an Informed, Democratic and Peaceful Zambia.”
MISA Zambia Chairperson Mrs. Lorraine Mwanza-Chisanga delivered the official address, welcoming Guest of Honour Her Excellency Ms. Corry van Gaal, Canadian High Commissioner to Zambia, as well as representatives of the European Union Delegation, BBC Media Action, MISA board members, former chairpersons, sponsors and members of the press.
Mrs. Mwanza-Chisanga congratulated journalists for their work during the recent electoral period, commending them for upholding ethical standards from the pre-election phase through to the post-election period. She highlighted the media’s critical role in empowering citizens, defending democracy and supporting national development.
“The media landscape is changing at an extraordinary pace,” she said. “Technology has transformed how information is gathered, distributed and consumed. Social media has changed the speed of news. Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape the way content is produced. At the same time, misinformation and disinformation have become serious threats to public confidence. These changes present challenges, but they also present tremendous opportunities.”
She encouraged all entrants, whether or not they received awards, to continue producing accurate and balanced information, improve their craft and serve the public interest. She also thanked the partners who made the event possible, specifically acknowledging the Canadian High Commission, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Habitat for Humanity Zambia, Ms. Otridah Kapona, Media Initiative on School Health, Hivos, Totum Solutions Limited, Ideaholic, The Hunger Project, and the Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Programme (EP-JSLP).
MISA Zambia sponsored several categories, including the Platinum Award — the organisation’s highest honour for significant contributions to media freedom — as well as Golden Awards for Television, Radio, Community Radio, Print and Online. Additional awards sponsored by partners were also presented.
In her remarks, High Commissioner van Gaal congratulated all nominees and recipients, describing their work as the product of rigorous research, investigation and adaptation to a rapidly changing digital environment. She highlighted Canada’s long-standing relationship with Zambia, dating back to 1972, and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to democratic principles, including free media and independent institutions.
The High Commissioner described a free press as a cornerstone and catalyst for democracy. She noted that journalists provide citizens with the information needed for meaningful public participation, scrutinise those in power and amplify community concerns. She also spoke about the dual impact of artificial intelligence, which creates new opportunities while raising concerns around misinformation, verification, privacy and public trust.
“Technology may change the tools of journalism, but it should not change its fundamental values,” she said. “Your greatest asset is not simply speed, it is credibility. Protect it.”
She called for shared responsibility among journalists, governments, media owners and citizens to uphold ethical standards, ensure safe working conditions and distinguish credible journalism from false or misleading information. The awards, she added, serve as a reminder of the standards to which the profession aspires, from investigative and community journalism to environmental reporting and stories about ordinary people.
The High Commissioner congratulated MISA Zambia on reaching its 24th edition and thanked Zambia’s journalists for their daily contributions to transparency, informed public debate and democratic participation.
The evening celebrated individual excellence and reaffirmed the enduring value of professional, ethical journalism in an era of rapid technological change.
