HH hails media’s role in deepening democracy

Republican President Hakainde Hichilema has paid tribute to the media in the country for their role in deepening democracy and informing the people.

Speaking in Lusaka when he graced the national media conference as part of the World Press Freedom Day commemoration, President Hichilema says he values the role of the media in the development of the country.

He says this is especially that in the last 10-years the development gains the country had made after attaining HIPC were wiped out to zero.

President Hichilema says he never imagined that in a few years the country would be grappling with a huge debt having been given debt relief through HIPC.

The head of state has stressed the need for the media to join efforts in resuscitating the country’s economy.

Mr Hichilema has also stressed the need for journalists to be profession all the time.

He says his administration desires to see a Zambia where journalists operate freely but responsibly.

And President Hichilema says his new dawn administration is ready to repeal the cyber security law.

He says in reviewing the act, there is need to put specific proposals and not general measures by all stakeholders who include the Media.

And the Media Liaison Committee has proposed self regulatory mechanism to regulate and ensure professionalism for journalists and the media in the country through the Zambia media council.

Committee Chairperson, Enock Ngoma says the Zambia media council wants to regulate the media houses and journalists

And Mr Ngoma hopes the promise by President to repeal the cyber crimes law will be actualized.

Speaking earlier, United Nations Country Representative, Lionel Laurens says the UN System in Zambia is strengthening national capacity to identify and document cases of disinformation, misinformation and hate speech; analyze and fact-check information; as well as activate remedial responses through counter-messaging or regulatory decisions.  

Mr. Laurens has underscored the commitment of the UN in Zambia in promoting media freedom and freedom of expression.