The Media Owners Association of Zambia (MOAZ) has written to Chief Justice Mumba Malila, urging for equitable media access to broadcast live court proceedings regarding former President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility case. MOAZ’s letter, addressed to the Chief Justice, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that both public and private media outlets are allowed to cover the Constitutional Court’s proceedings live, ensuring a more balanced and diverse perspective in reporting.
The call follows the announcement by the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) that it would be broadcasting the proceedings live on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. While MOAZ welcomed this development, it stressed that it should not be limited to state-owned media alone. The association’s president, Costa Mwansa, stated that allowing only ZNBC to broadcast the hearings would restrict the public’s access to diverse coverage, particularly from private media houses, which play a crucial role in providing an alternative view.
Mwansa further explained that granting registered private media houses the opportunity to broadcast live would reinforce their role in fostering an informed citizenry. The MOAZ believes that a well-informed public is essential for the proper functioning of a democracy, and diverse media coverage helps ensure that all angles of important legal proceedings are covered.
By opening up access to the media, MOAZ hopes to promote transparency and fairness in the coverage of high-profile cases like Lungu’s eligibility challenge. The association’s request reflects a broader concern for media freedoms and equitable treatment in the country, particularly as Zambians face critical decisions about political leadership and governance.
As the case progresses, it remains to be seen whether the judiciary will allow equal media access, and whether this will set a precedent for future coverage of important legal cases in Zambia.
