Zambia Media Critique

THE Kwacha has continued to depreciate, hitting a historical low of K7 - 1$ this week. Some bloggers and analysts have accused the media in Zambia of not doing enough to explain to the public what is truly at stake with the economy. A blogger recently said that Bank of Zambia Governor Michael Gondwe has only survived because of the poor journalism and party opposition in this country describing him as a lucky man. Here is what Bloomberg reported on the Kwacha. Zambian Kwacha Falls to Record Low for World’s Worst Drop in May By Matthew Hill May 27, 2014 2:08 PM GMT+0200 Zambia’s kwacha retreated to a record low against the dollar, depreciating more than any other currency in the world this month, as lower copper prices and a tax dispute with mines curbed foreign-exchange supply. The currency of Africa ’s second-largest producer of the metal, used for electrical wire and water pipes, weakened as much as 2.3 percent, the biggest slide in two months, to 7.035 ...

THE Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) launched it;s Editorial Policy on 22nd April, 2014. ZNBC board chairman John Mulwila said provisions in the news and current affairs editorial policy are binding to all employees. Mulwila warned that those who will abrogate the provisions of the news and current affairs editorial policy will be punished in accordance with the disciplinary code of conduct. “Further, the provisions contained are also binding on external interest groups or individuals. Those who abrogate these provisions shall be dealt with according to provisions of the Laws of Zambia and other media regulatory bodies,” he said Mulwilwa’s statement if indeed reflects the contents of this document that is not yet public has worried Zambian media experts who are baffled at the extent of its implications. Veteran Zambian journalist Gershom Ndhlovu wrote, “Working at ZNBC will mean walking a tight rope! “Mis-reporting” will be breaking the laws of the country” Medi...