The Media Liaison Committee (MLC) has accused the Swedish Embassy of sponsoring confusion within the Zambian media landscape during this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebrations held under the theme “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”
Traditionally, journalists in Lusaka march together and gather for official speeches from government representatives, the United Nations, and other key stakeholders to reflect on the state of press freedom in Zambia. However, this year saw an unusual development — two separate marches taking place in the capital city.
According to the MLC, one march was organised by the committee itself in collaboration with the national WPFD organising team composed of Zambian media institutions. A second, parallel march was reportedly supported by the Swedish Embassy and BBC Media Action, and involved freelance journalists and Swedish-funded media NGOs. This group voiced opposition to statutory media self-regulation — a stance that contradicts consensus previously reached by the Zambian media sector.
The MLC noted that in 2019, journalists across Zambia convened during two “Insaka” conferences where they unanimously agreed to be regulated by a statutory self-regulatory framework — one developed by journalists for journalists. This led to the creation of a draft bill, initially known as the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) Bill, now renamed the Zambia Institute of Journalism (ZIJ) Bill following legal guidance from the Ministry of Justice.
The MLC alleges that the Swedish Embassy, in partnership with BBC Media Action, is now backing opposition to this bill, causing unnecessary division in the media fraternity. The organisation expressed concern over the presence of the Swedish Ambassador, Johan Hallenborg, on the podium during the alternate WPFD event, alongside representatives of Swedish-funded NGOs.
In a statement issued by MLC Chairperson Ms. Felistus Chipako, the committee announced its intention to formally write to the Swedish Government, copying Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to raise alarm over what it describes as “foreign-sponsored divisions” in the local media space.
The MLC also plans to write to the Department of Immigration and the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, questioning the activities of BBC Media Action’s Country Director, Soren Johansen, who operates in Zambia under a work permit.
Furthermore, the committee accused BBC Media Action of engaging in destabilising activities since its entry into Zambia, including diverting donor funding away from established media umbrella bodies such as MISA Zambia, Panos Institute Southern Africa, and the Zambia Community Media Forum (ZaCoMeF), thereby weakening their influence.
The MLC reaffirmed its openness to continued internal dialogue with stakeholders who wish to offer further input on the ZIJ Bill. However, it strongly condemned any attempts by foreign entities to sow discord within Zambia’s media fraternity.
“The Zambian media has always demonstrated unity in upholding press freedom and professionalism, regardless of ownership divides. We will not stand by while foreign influence undermines this unity,” Ms. Chipako said.
MLC, just write to the government to sort out the economic mess they created. Assuming you write to the embassy, how does it improve the life of the common man. The priority for now in this country should be to push government to start working hard and to remind government that free education is a priority but not the first priority. People have to eat first. Assuming the two groups marched together, then what?
You are mixing issues here. If you don’t comprehend what MLC was saying,ask your colleagues to help. This has nothing to do to the economic mess created by pf or the current government. The government of the day is working at the pace set out by the debt left by pf. They won’t work at your pace bwana.
Well said Katana.
YOU CAN DO THAT IF IT IRKS YOU, WHY DO YOU THINK EVERYONE THINKS ABOUT UNGA ALL THEIR LIVES. IMWE TU PF ARE S1LLY AS IF YOU DID WELL ON UNGA, YOU FOUND IT K30 AND LEFT IT K190, YOU ALWAYS WANT TO PUT UNGA AS IF YOU ARE ANY BETTER
This is naive, get a grip
Typically a Petty attitude
President Hakainde should put a stop to these serious accusations on embassies. The other day, it was a politician supported by UPND wildly lamenting. Today, it is a media group making unnecessary public statements. What has happened to diplomatic solutions as opposed to rogue behaviours if the story is true?
Chipante pante reloaded. We had chipante pante in the previous regime, but we have exactly the same movie playing now. Because even now caderism is very high but played very smartly under the radar. Foreign diplomats even deported in the last regime, now they are just being verbally attacked, way ward Chabinga did the same recently
Chipante pante reloaded. We had chipante pante in the previous regime, but we have exactly the same movie playing now. Because even now caderism is very high but played very smartly under the radar.
So what is wrong with a country financially supporting a certain group in the media organisation? Why do you think they are only obliged to support MLC? In a democracy, media is a fourt umbrella and all groups are relevant to enhance governance.
What was wrong with Cadres beating up people wearing UPND regalia?
Do you expect those who are being paid to be objective? When you go to work try telling your boss what you really think of him/her.
You pay and support a group because you want them to support your views and perspectives. You are basically a paid for handler. Those providing money why do they continue to give an opinion after they have given money? Of that isnt shaping the point of view they want you to follow, then why speak? Why give their views. Lets not be naive here.
In a democracy people should learn to live with those with a different opinion. All journalists cant be on the same page, Sweden or no Sweden. Listen to everyone’s argument, bring yours and let the one convincing the majority prevail. But dont start scandalising those with a different opinion.
The sad reality is that we do not have confidence in ourselves, we do not have loyalty and patriotism to the country, we are plagued with greed and corrupt leaders who often sell out the country to foreigners for their own personal gain. Until we have revolutionary, patriotic leaders with vision, we will remain colonised. We need a Traore kind of leader who believes in our own ability to sustain ourselves. For far too long we have leaders who think we need foreign investors and foreign aid to make anything of ourselves. These are simply vehicles that our enemies use to control and exploit our resources. And we largely have leaders that are complicit in the process.
We allow the international community to listen to us when we have a bowl asking for alms and charity. After receiving money, we don’t want them to ask or check on us how we are utilising the grants or donations we got. Remember too that PF tried this show on the US citizen, Forte. It backfired.
When we don’t agree with them, it is neocolonialism. These embassies have a stake in Zambia’s economic, social and cultural transformation. Media inclusive.
What stake do they have in the Zambian economy? Do we similarly have a stake in their economy? That is a donation with strings attached. And that is not aid. Its not help. They dont have the confidence that we will act responisbly. Then we are not equals. Hence the treatment like infantile neo colonial behaviour of tell us what to do when then money is given to us.
out of interest , on which side of the aisle was COSTA MWANSA??
Self regulation of the media cannot be supervised by Government. What is John Sangwas opinion on this?
– Mulenga
Stop getting aid from or collaborating with them. In that way they will have nothing to do and NO STAKE with you too.
For as long as they fund and help Zambia with Swedish taxpayer’s money, my friend, they have a big role to shape Zambia. Don’t be part of the problem, be the solution. If there is a bad fruit at the Swedish embassy, there are better diplomatic and sober ways of dealing with the malaise than being emotionally charged like the Mafinga MP or the MLC chairperson. Why has MLC not cited the British embassy as well since BBC was present on that day? Why only single out Sweden? Please be calm.
MLC if you want to chew from the government then continue with them. If you want to chew from donors then fight for real press freedom.
…..copying Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to raise alarm over what it describes as “foreign-sponsored divisions” in the local media space.
Zenophobic journalists should move to South Africa. Why are you quick to pull the Foreign sponsored card when you never report to us which foreign companies are sponsoring our political parties here? You should have reported this in your news desks instead of reporting people to Foreign Affairs.
Anywhere there’s “self regulation” is deceptive trap for moral/ethical corruption .We’re all flawed human beings with blind spots ,bias and self delusions so we can never be true / neutral judges of our own performance.