Ills of statutory self-media regulation

By Daily Revelation Editor

The recent happenings pointing towards the government’s unpleasant hand to regulate the media is one of the worst actions in this country. Quite pathetic of a government that in the first place portrayed a picture as a friend of the media, vowing never to poke its nose into media affairs.

The turn of events in which it was confirmed by the Media Liaison Committee (MLC) that they were behind the act to swiftly have the media statutorily regulated cannot be left unchecked.

First of all, in an era where information flows freely across borders and platforms, the role of the media as a watchdog of democracy, a platform for diverse voices, and a catalyst for social change cannot be overstated. However, the increasing tendency by the UPND government using evil hands to impose statutory regulations on the media raises profound concerns regarding freedom of expression, journalistic integrity, and the very essence of democratic governance.

Statutory regulation of the media is often masked in a more insidious agenda: the suppression of dissenting voices and the stifling of critical reporting. Any government driven by a desire to maintain control, has frequently turned towards regulatory frameworks as a tool of censorship, manipulating laws to curb press freedom under the guise of protecting society.

One of the most glaring issues with government regulation of the media is the potential for bias in enacting and enforcing these laws. Media regulation is a selective instrument, wielded against journalists and media outlets that challenge the status quo or expose governmental failures. This creates an environment of fear, where reporters may self-censor to avoid punishment, backlash, ultimately leading to a homogenization of viewpoints and a significant loss of investigative journalism. We won’t accept this to happen in Zambia

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Moreover, we are aware that statutory media regulation has the potential to inadvertently or deliberately hinder the media’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and technologies. In our rapidly evolving digital landscape, rigid regulatory frameworks may struggle to keep pace with the innovations in media consumption. With the unacceptable Cyber Security law already in place to stifle dissent, media regulation will not only affect the viability of diverse media outlets but also restricts the public’s access to a plurality of perspectives, crucial for informed citizenship.

The erosion of public trust in the media is another critical consequence of overly stringent government media regulation approach. We know that when the state dictates the terms of engagement for media houses, it casts doubt on their independence and credibility, leading to citizens viewing the media as an extension of government propaganda rather than an unbiased source of information, ultimately creating skepticism and alienation from essential discourse.

With Hakainde Hichilema stating that he supports media self-regulation, and information minister Cornelius Mweetwa saying the government was not involved in plans to statutorily regulate the media, it leaves one to wonder whose interest the MLC is championing.

We agree with journalist and lawyer Dickson Jere who said regulating journalism is frowned upon internationally as journalists come in many forms. This bill is ill conceived as it is actually aimed at policing journalists, something that must not be entertained by responsible members of society.

Furthermore, this so-called statutory self-media regulation will seriously open the door for abuse. We are aware that the UPND government wants to exploit ambiguous definitions of terms like “hate speech” or “public interest” to target specific narratives.

This precarious balance creates an environment in which freedom of speech is compromised, and journalists may be subjected to harassment or penalisation for their reporting, simply because it contradicts the official narrative.

Instead of embracing stringent regulations, this government should promote an environment where the media can thrive autonomously, ensuring transparency, diversity, and the vibrant exchange of ideas. The empowerment of independent journalism not only strengthens democracy but also fortifies the very foundations upon which a free society is built. As citizens, journalists, and defenders of press freedom, we will remain vigilant and resist efforts to encroach upon the sanctity of our free press, safeguarding our role as an essential pillar of democracy.

We therefore, encourage MLC to come up with much better ways of addressing the challenges facing the media other than the introduction of a bill. And we hope Hichilema will this time keep his word. Media self-regulation must mean just that, and the government should have no hand in it whatsoever, including through the machinations of Parliament.