The Zambian press freedom conundrum: reluctance rather than resilience

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Periodical article

Title:	The Zambian press freedom conundrum: reluctance rather than resilience
Authors:	Kasoma, Twange Pitts, Greg
Year:	2017
Periodical:	Journal of African Media Studies (ISSN 1751-7974)
Volume:	9
Issue:	1
Pages:	129-144
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zambia
Subjects:	freedom of the press media law media policy parliamentarians
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1386/jams.9.1.129_1
Abstract:	As different governments have assumed power in Zambia since the democratic tide that swept across Africa in the early 1990s, the conundrum of a free press continues to complicate governance and journalistic practices. This study investigated how members of Parliament (MPs) felt about press freedom. A survey administered to current MPs, which had a response rate of 52%, revealed that almost 95% (94.6%, n=70) agreed or strongly agreed that press freedom in Zambia should be increased. A parallel measure of questionnaire reliability asked Parliamentarians to respond to the statement, Press freedom in Zambia should be decreased. The majority 81.1% (n=60) disagreed or strongly disagreed. The study's overall results indicate that there is an awareness of the importance of press freedom among the MPs, but there appears to be a reluctance, rather than resilience, to implement changes that would provide for a freer press system. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]