Self-Regulation, Not Censorship

Zambia’s New Media Body Launches Independent Secretariat set to enforce media ethics, rebuild public trust, and strengthen press freedom amid rising challenges of misinformation

By Francis Maingaila 

Lusaka, Zambia24 - (une 25, 2025) - The Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia (MSCZ) has launched its Secretariat in Lusaka, marking a key step in the country’s efforts to promote ethical journalism and rebuild public trust in the media.

Officiating at the launch, Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa described the Secretariat’s establishment as a milestone in strengthening democratic governance and media professionalism. 

He said the operationalisation of the Secretariat signaled the Council’s readiness to uphold media ethics, investigate complaints, and foster constructive engagement between journalists and the public.

“This is not just a bureaucratic milestone,” Mweetwa said. “It is the heartbeat of the Council’s commitment to strengthening journalism, enhancing public trust, and promoting ethical media practices across Zambia.”

The Secretariat, which will house the Ombudsman and a professional support team, is tasked with implementing the Council’s mandate. 

Mweetwa urged the staff to carry out their work with fairness, impartiality, and justice, emphasizing that accountability must be upheld by both the media and its regulators.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to media freedom, describing the press as a critical partner in national development and democracy. 

He encouraged media practitioners to use the Secretariat as a platform for professional growth and public accountability, and thanked cooperating partners for supporting Zambia’s media reform process. 

He called on stakeholders to treat the launch as a renewed commitment to responsible, independent journalism and declared the Secretariat officially launched.

MSCZ Chairperson Pastor Kennedy Mambwe expressed gratitude to the government for its role in the Council’s registration and establishment. 

He described the Secretariat as a people-centered institution, open to anyone seeking redress over unethical conduct by journalists or media houses.

“This Secretariat belongs to the people. Anyone who believes a journalist or media institution has breached ethical standards is encouraged to report the matter. Complaints will be handled professionally,” Mambwe said.

He said the launch signaled the media fraternity’s dedication to accountability and called on all journalists to subscribe to a single, unified Code of Ethics. 

He urged public service media institutions to formally adopt the same standard, aligning with national efforts to promote professional conduct.

Mambwe appealed for continued support in training and capacity building, pointing out that many journalists across the country still require professional development. 

He announced a nationwide recruitment and outreach campaign aimed at establishing MSCZ structures at provincial and district levels.

To support rural outreach, he requested logistical assistance, including a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and expressed interest in accessing government funding mechanisms to boost operational capacity.

The launch was attended by dignitaries including Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Johan Hallenborg, representatives from BBC Media Action and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, MISA Zambia Chairperson Mrs. Lorraine Mwanza Chisanga, and stakeholders from the media and civil society.

Mambwe acknowledged the contributions of institutions and partners that played a critical role in the Council’s formation, including MISA Zambia, the Media Owners Association of Zambia (MOAZ), Panos Institute Southern Africa, Free Press Initiative (FPI), Catholic Media Services, BBC Media Action, and Internews.

MISA Zambia Chairperson Laurens Mwanza hailed the Secretariat’s launch as a long-overdue step toward creating an independent, locally driven mechanism to enforce media ethics and resolve disputes transparently. 

He emphasized the growing importance of media self-regulation in the face of rampant misinformation and called for peer-led oversight as a sustainable alternative to state-imposed control.

“This Secretariat is more than an office—it is a foundation for rebuilding public trust in the media and promoting professional integrity,” Mwanza said.

He explained that the Secretariat would manage public complaints, engage with stakeholders, and provide capacity-building support to journalists. 

Mwanza commended the support of civil society and diplomatic partners, while also recognizing the government’s role in fostering an enabling environment for press freedom. He urged alignment of policy and practice to reinforce media independence.

“To the media, this is your institution—use it, defend it, and grow it into a pillar of our democracy,” he concluded.

The launch of the MSCZ Secretariat marks the full operationalisation of Zambia’s first independent media self-regulatory body—affirming the country’s move toward a more transparent, ethical, and democratically governed media landscape.