As Zambia joins the global community in commemorating World Press Freedom Day today, 3rd May, TI-Z reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles of free, independent, and pluralistic media. These principles are essential for promoting transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of democratic values.
Zambia has made some strides in advancing media freedoms, not least of which is the recent enactment of the Access to Information (ATI) Act in December 2023, which was a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in our governance arena. But despite that monumental achievement scored, press freedom in Zambia has continued to face some serious challenges. A recent Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Freedom of Expression report highlighted a concerning decline in media freedoms in the first half of 2024, with 62% of respondents perceiving that the media in Zambia did not operate freely. It further revealed that these challenges were linked to increasing instances of harassment and intimidation affecting journalists, citizens, and even members of the clergy.
The theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day – “Reporting in the Brave New World –The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media – signifies the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism. While AI presents important opportunities for dissemination of information, it also poses challenges such as the spread of misinformation and threats to journalistic independence. The rapid adoption of AI technologies in Zambia requires urgent conversations on ethical standards, regulatory frameworks, and the protection of journalists’ rights in this digital age.
As TI-Z, we recognize that a free and independent press is central to our work of fighting corruption, promoting transparency, and strengthening good governance. Through our various thematic areas, we have actively supported and trained investigative journalists to address key issues impacting the Zambian public. These efforts are particularly important in ensuring that journalists can report freely, accurately, and without fear of retribution or reprisals of any sort.
- Public Resource Management: Under this thematic area, TI-Z has provided training to investigative journalists on monitoring public spending and identifying corruption in the use of public funds. Our training programs have included practical sessions on uncovering misuse of state resources and reporting on government inefficiency. This has empowered journalists to expose corruption and advocate for better management of public resources.
- Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability: TI-Z has also equipped journalists with the tools to investigate and report on environmental issues, particularly in the context of climate change. Through fostering knowledge on the intersection of climate change, public policy, and corruption, TI-Z’s training programs have helped journalists to expose unsustainable practices, illegal mining, and environmental degradation. Journalists are trained to assess government accountability on climate-related promises and policies, ensuring that the public remains informed and that authorities are held responsible for their actions.
- Land and Corruption in Africa: Through our Land and Corruption in Africa project, TI-Z will extend training to investigative journalists focusing on the intersection of land governance and corruption in this second quarter of 2025. Land disputes, illegal land deals, and the exploitation of land resources are prevalent in many regions of Zambia. Our training will provide journalists with the tools to investigate land-related corruption, helping to expose abuse and advocating for transparent land management practices.
- Clean Money in Elections: TI-Z’s Clean Money in Elections project aims to support journalists in exposing electoral malpractices, campaign finance violations, and the role of illicit money in politics. Our trainings in this second quarter of 2025 will focus on equipping journalists with skills to investigate the sources of campaign funding, monitor electoral processes, and ensure that elections are free from the influence of corruption.
TI-Z calls on the Zambian government and all stakeholders to uphold legal protections for journalists, ensuring that they are shielded from harassment and intimidation, while also promoting media literacy to help the public critically assess information in this digital age. We strongly believe that the media should not be stifled by the state but allowed to regulate itself through established mechanisms of self-regulation, as this ensures the independence of journalism. Increased support for independent media, both financially and institutionally, is vital to fostering an environment where press freedom and responsible journalism can thrive. TI-Z also advocates for strengthened collaboration between the government, civil society, and media organizations to build a space where journalists can operate freely without undue interference.
TI-Z honours the courageous journalists who continue to report in the face of adversity and stands in solidarity with them in the ongoing fight for press freedom. We reaffirm our commitment to supporting a free and independent press in Zambia through our capacity-building initiatives, equipping journalists with the tools to uncover corruption, hold the government accountable, and ensure the voices of the people are heard. We believe in a Zambia where the media is not hindered by external control but empowered to operate freely and fairly, unencumbered by state interference, and dedicated to serving the public good.
Maurice K. Nyambe (Mr.)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
