Media council condemns victimization of journalists, hails court ruling on Zulu

The Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia (MSRCZ) has called for an end to the victimization of journalists by authorities, following a landmark ruling by the Ndola High Court in favour of journalist Stafrance Zulu.

The court ruled that Zulu was unfairly dismissed by the government-controlled Zambia Daily Mail for publishing a photograph of people queuing for mealie meal.

The court ordered the newspaper to pay damages equivalent to 36 months’ salary, K241,871.70 in accrued benefits, as well as costs and interest.

Zulu was dismissed on April 12, 2023, after the photograph was published on the Zambia Daily Mail Facebook page.

The image highlighted mealie meal shortages in Ndola, a situation the publication deemed embarrassing to the government.

In response to the ruling, MSRCZ Chairperson, Pastor Kennedy Mambwe, commended the court’s decision, stating that Zulu’s actions were in line with ethical journalism.

“As an organization that promotes objective and professional journalism, we firmly believe the photograph was taken for news purposes and not to embarrass the government,” Mambwe said in a statement on Wednesday.

He added that journalism was a noble profession aimed at serving the public good.

He also condemned Zulu’s dismissal as an act of intimidation and reaffirmed MSRCZ’s commitment to protecting journalists from unwarranted persecution.

“Journalists should not suffer consequences for fulfilling their duty to inform the public and contribute to good governance,” Mambwe stated.

He urged members of the public and media organizations to embrace self-regulation as a mechanism to address professional misconduct and promote impartial and ethical journalism.

The MSRCZ reiterated its resolve to shield media practitioners from undue influence that contradicts the Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Mambwe assured that the council would continue advocating for an impartial and cost-effective system to resolve disputes involving journalists.

This case served as a significant milestone in the fight for media freedom and the protection of journalists in Zambia.

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