The media struggles in Zambia: the need for a unified policy on press freedom

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Periodical article

Title:	The media struggles in Zambia: the need for a unified policy on press freedom
Author:	Makungu, Kenny
Year:	2004
Periodical:	Africa Media Review (ISSN 0258-4913)
Volume:	12
Issue:	1
Pages:	13-26
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Zambia Central Africa
Subjects:	freedom of the press media history communication Press law censorship freedom of information
Abstract:	This paper traces the evolution of the struggles for press freedom in Zambia since the country's independence in 1964. In Zambia, as in many other developing countries, the media have functioned as a tool of the ruling class to help it mobilize people allegedly for the development of the country, but in reality to promote the interests of the ruling class. The paper examines press freedom under single-party rule in the 1970s and 1980s, under the new Third Republic government in the early 1990s, and during the second term of the MMD (Movement for Multiparty Democracy) government (1996-2001). While progress has been made on various fronts, the paper notes that sustaining the gains of the struggles depends on the political will of the government and requires continuing pressure on the government from the citizenry. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract, edited]