Grassroots mobilisation proving critical for media reforms in Zambia, by Kenneth Lutena

Grassroots movements advocating for freedom of expression and media freedom have played a pivotal role in advancing reforms in Zambia’s media landscape.

Key institutions, such as MISA Zambia, the Media Liaison Committee, and the Panos Institute of Southern Africa, have been instrumental in driving these changes through grassroots mobilisation.

Mukupa Kaoma, a human rights activist, highlighted the significance of grassroots efforts in the successful passage of the Access to Information (ATI) Bill into law.

“Grassroots movements have been crucial in pushing the long-awaited ATI Bill into law,” Kaoma told Zambia Monitor in an interview in Kitwe on Wednesday.

He noted that decision-makers often fear the influence of grassroots movements due to their substantial voting power.

Before the ATI law was enacted, extensive grassroots mobilisation took place to educate stakeholders about the importance of the ATI law beyond its perceived relevance to media operators.

This effort aims to clarify that the law is essential for ensuring broader access to information.

MISA Zambia also played a key role by training 30 journalists from across the country as media monitors to track media freedom and freedom of expression.

This training, held in Lusaka, was part of critical grassroots mobilisation aimed at enhancing media freedom and expression.

MISA Zambia Assistant Programmes Officer, Micheal Njobvu, explained, “The training was designed to empower journalists with the skills and knowledge needed to identify, document and report media violations.”

He added, “The trained journalists will monitor the media space effectively to produce reports on media freedom and freedom of expression violations against journalists, activists and digital actors in Zambia.”

Panos Institute for Southern Africa has also been active in collaborating with grassroots organisations on digital hygiene and ATI law sensitization, demonstrating the effectiveness of grassroots efforts in these areas.

These grassroots movements continue to be a vital tool in achieving key democratic milestones.

As Kaoma emphasized, robust freedom of speech and press freedom are essential for any society to reach economic and democratic goals.

The ongoing success of grassroots mobilisation underscores its critical role in advancing media reforms and democratic values in the country.

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