Commemoration of World Press Freedom Day

• The Honourable Minister of Information and Media
• The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Media
• Senior Government officials
• The Chairperson, Media Liaison Committee
• The Representative, Zambia Commission for UNESCO
• Private sector representatives   
• UN colleagues
• All journalists present
• Ladies and gentlemen

I am honoured to represent the United Nations in Zambia at this event to commemorate the 2023 World Press Freedom Day. This year’s theme “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all Other Human Rights”  fits very well with the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that we will observe later this year. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as we know, is a milestone document which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Back to why we are here today, this year marks 30 years since the UN General Assembly’s decision to proclaim 3 May as an international day for press freedom.

To reinforce this point, let me quote from the message by the UN Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, for this year’s World Press Freedom Day.

I quote

This day highlights a basic truth: all our freedom depends on press freedom.

Freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice. It gives all of us the facts we need to shape opinions and speak truth to power. And as this year’s theme reminds us, press freedom represents the very lifeblood of human rights.

But in every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack. 

Truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech seeking to blur the lines between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy. 

End of Quote

Guest of Honour, ladies and gentlemen

The theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day reminds us of the critical role of the media as the Fourth Estate in helping the people enjoy their human rights. The media does this at various levels as it creates awareness about issues, makes people care and inspires them to act based on the benefits and information received. For example, from March 2020 Zambia was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic which dealt a serious blow to almost all sectors, not to mention the lives that were lost during the period of the contagion.

Amid a lot of misinformation and disinformation, we saw the media in Zambia, and the world over, rise to the occasion and help reach millions of people with correct and verified information that helped people prevent themselves from the disease while also encouraging the uptake of interventions such as vaccination.

Through concerted Risk Communication and Community Engagement activities by and through the media, many people adopted healthy seeking behaviours thereby helping minimise the loss of lives and impact on all sectors of society.

Secondly, here in Zambia, the media have over the years played a significant role in helping citizens enjoy their right to participate in electoral processes such as by casting their votes. This was extended to ensuring the participation by Persons with Disabilities by communicating information in suitable formats. Without the support of the media, people would remain oblivious about their rights which are well guaranteed in the Constitution.

Third, the media also helps expose wrongs such as corrupt activities, thereby promoting good governance and saving public resources that would otherwise go into the pockets of corrupt individuals and unethical organisations. By shining the light on vices and playing their watchdog role, the media stand up for the rights of the people. Transparency and accountability are needed in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Guest of Honour, ladies and gentlemen

Despite the good deeds that I have alluded to, concerns remain about some media institutions, both mainstream and online, that seek to deliberately mislead the people through inaccurate reporting and bias. Such reporting does not serve the greater good and has no place in journalism. With the increase in information sources, especially online, the media need to distinguish themselves and earn the public trust and credible sources of news.

As we address the role of the media in helping drive the enjoyment of human rights, let us keep in mind the fact that for media to thrive, they need to operate in a conducive environment with media freedom and access to information guaranteed. When the media are free, they help to empower people and enable them gain control over their own lives, enhance transparency, accountability, and informed public participation in governance.

In view of this, the United Nations notes with appreciation the ongoing efforts by the Government towards enacting an Access to Information law as well as collaborations with the media around media regulation. While we applaud these efforts, we wish to encourage the media to find common ground and have one voice on the important matter of media regulation.

While learning from what has worked elsewhere, the media in Zambia should develop a system that will suit their environment. Together you can do more.

As I close, let me underscore the commitment of the United Nations system in Zambia in working with the Government and all stakeholders to enhance freedom of expression and freedom of the media, leaving no one behind.

Happy World Press Freedom Day!

I THANK YOU.