On 5 December 2025, the Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) hosted its Media Engagement Day in Lusaka under the theme “ZLDC @30: Strengthening Media Partnerships for Law Reform in Zambia.” The event, officiated by Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa MP, highlighted the vital role of the media in promoting public understanding and engagement with legal reforms.
Hon. Mweetwa urged journalists to actively report on legal reforms to highlight policy gaps, expose inefficiencies, and hold institutions accountable. He emphasized that an informed citizenry is better equipped to participate in legal reforms and engage objectively in national affairs. The Minister described the media as a key link between complex legal processes and ordinary Zambians, positioning journalists as essential partners in ensuring transparency, accountability, and public awareness.
He further affirmed the Government’s commitment to media freedom, access to information, and responsible journalism, stressing that these are crucial pillars of participatory governance. Hon. Mweetwa called for a stronger, structured partnership between ZLDC and media institutions to promote timely information dissemination, encourage in-depth reporting on legal matters, and enhance public awareness of reforms. He commended ZLDC for adopting a progressive and inclusive approach by actively engaging the media as a strategic stakeholder.
The Minister highlighted the Commission’s contribution to modernizing Zambia’s legal framework over the past three decades. He noted that ZLDC’s work has strengthened justice, improved public institutions, and safeguarded citizens’ rights. He encouraged the media to continue shaping public attitudes toward the rule of law through accurate, balanced, and educational reporting.
ZLDC Chairperson, Justice Ruth Chibbabuka, traced the Commission’s origins, explaining that it began as a department under the Ministry of Justice before becoming an independent statutory body in 1996. She emphasized that ZLDC was established to enhance integrity and consistency in law reform.
Justice Chibbabuka highlighted key law reform achievements, including the review of the Penal Code Act and the Criminal Procedure Code Act, updates to the Intestate Succession Act, development of the Marriage Bill, and enactment of the Anti–Gender-Based Violence Act. She also noted legislative work enabling prisoner voting, reforms to commercial and labour laws including the Rent Act and the Landlord and Tenant (Business Premises) Act, all aimed at strengthening governance systems and protecting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
She acknowledged the media’s role in amplifying ZLDC’s work through news coverage, talk shows, and public education platforms. Justice Chibbabuka announced plans to establish a more structured, long-term media engagement framework to improve transparency and encourage public participation in law reform.
The 2025 ZLDC Media Engagement Day marked not only the Commission’s 30-year milestone but also a renewed commitment to collaboration with the media. The event reinforced the importance of informed reporting in shaping public understanding of legal reforms, promoting accountability, and advancing Zambia’s rule of law.