Media challenged to change perception of bias reporting

Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Director General, Josephine Mapoma, says as the country prepares to go to the polls in August, this year, the media have an opportunity to change the perception of bias on political and social affairs.

And Livingstone Press Club President, Brian Hatyoka, has urged politicians to articulate their visions through the media as opposed to engaging in hate-speech and character-assassination as these have potential to bring violence in the country.

Ms Mapoma said she was aware of the challenges involved in achieving this but maintained that it was possible if the media operated with corresponding responsibility.

“It is in this spirit that I am urging all media houses to abide by the Electoral Code of Conduct, the IBA Act and other laws that govern the media,” she said.

Ms Mapoma said this in Livingstone today during commemorations of World Press Freedom Day held under the theme, “Access to information and fundamental freedoms: This is your right’.

She said access to information by citizens was crucial to the attainment of the country’s development targets.

Ms Mapoma said access to information was critical as it enabled people to make informed decisions on matters of national interest.

“However, providing access to information alone is not enough, thus, I am urging all media institutions to ensure they employ the principle of quality control through the upkeep of journalistic standards and ethics,” she said.

She said rigorously promoting and upholding ethics and high journalistic standards would help to retain credibility in the profession.

Ms Mapoma further said the balance between freedom of expression and opinion and ethical reporting was a constant and evolving debate that countries world over, had for a long time deliberated.

“Our country is no longer a stranger to similar debates. And I note with worry that our debates often focus on the freedoms and deliberate less on the media and its responsibilities,” she said.

And speaking earlier, Livingstone Press Club President, Brian Hatyoka, urged politicians to articulate their visions through the media as opposed to engaging in hate-speech and character-assassination as these had potential to bring violence in the country.

Mr Hatyoka also called for an end to attacks and intimidation of journalists especially during elections.

“People who attack journalists should be arrested and where possible jailed to set an example to would-be offenders,” he said.

He appealed to fellow scribes to be responsible in their reporting as irresponsible and unprofessional reporting had potential to cause anarchy in the country.

Meanwhile, Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) Chairperson for Livingstone, Gideon Musonda, said the media had a huge responsibility of promoting freedom of expression among women on equal terms with men at all levels of decision-making.

“The media should do this if there is to be equality, sustainable development, peace and strong democracy in our country,” he said.

Mr Musonda implored journalists to expose gender imbalance at all levels of governance in the country.

He also noted that Zambian media could continue to thrive if friendly legislation such as the much advocated for ‘Access to Information Bill’ is enacted into law.