Media Freedom Sealed


MSCZ Gains Legal Status

By Francis Maingaila
Lusaka, Zambia24 - (Friday, May 16, 2025) -  The Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia (MSCZ) has officially been registered, marking a watershed moment in the nation’s media landscape and reinforcing Zambia’s democratic credentials in upholding press freedom.

In a statement issued Friday, MSCZ Chairperson Pastor Kennedy K. Mambwe commended the Government of the Republic of Zambia for demonstrating unwavering commitment to ethical journalism and media independence by granting the Council full registration status.

“This is a historic milestone that reaffirms our collective commitment to responsible journalism anchored on integrity, professionalism, and accountability,” Pastor Mambwe said.

The certificate of registration was issued on May 14, 2025, by the Registrar of Societies under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, officially empowering MSCZ to operate as a fully recognized media self-regulatory body.

The development aligns with the government’s policy to support non-statutory regulation of the media. Just weeks earlier, on April 21, 2025, President Hakainde Hichilema reiterated his administration’s position on media freedom, stating unequivocally that there are no intentions to introduce statutory control over the press.

“We believe self-regulation is the correct approach now and moving forward,” read a statement from State House Chief Communication Specialist Clayson Hamasaka.

Pastor Mambwe said MSCZ will soon open its permanent offices in Lusaka’s Rhodes Park, with an official launch event expected to be officiated by government representatives next month. Until then, the Council continues to operate from its temporary location at MISA Zambia.

He encouraged members of the public and media stakeholders to report incidents of unethical journalism to the MSCZ Secretariat as the Council rolls out mechanisms to enhance professional standards.

“Media self-regulation is not about shielding the press—it’s about strengthening it through responsible journalism and peer accountability,” he added.

The MSCZ has been established with the support of leading media organisations including MISA Zambia, Free Press Initiative, Catholic Media Services, Panos Institute Southern Africa, the Media Owners Association, and BBC Media Action.

Zambia now joins the ranks of democratic nations where journalists lead the regulation of their own profession in line with global best practices—an achievement MSCZ says will protect both media freedom and the public interest.

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 16, 2025 at 3:19 AM

    What did we have before? Statutory or nothing..?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Francis MaingailaMay 17, 2025 at 5:27 AM

      It's now that we are pushing for media reforms, before that, we only had IBA and ZNBC acts respectively

      Delete

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