Government Reaffirms Support for Professional Media

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting media institutions that uphold professionalism, accuracy and factual reporting. Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana says professional journalism is increasingly important in protecting citizens from misinformation and disinformation, particularly amid the spread of propaganda on social media.

Mr. Kawana has urged journalists covering the forthcoming by-elections to remain impartial and objective, stressing that their role is to inform the public and not participate in the electoral contest. He has also encouraged media institutions to ensure that information given to the public is verified, truthful and factual.

“Their primary role is to serve as a mirror of society and not as participants in the electoral contest,” Mr. Kawana said. He was speaking in Lusaka during the national dispatch of Centre for Information and Communication (CIC) teams to cover the forthcoming by-elections.