Press freedom is a freedom of expression issue. Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of democracy. Therefore, an open, free, safe and supportive operating environment for journalists is crucial for realizing meaning access to information that is fact-checked and verified and this information is important for citizens to adequately participate in public discourse and expand on democracy. Additionally, voluntary self-regulation of media offers opportunities for media development through professional and ethical conduct that builds the people’s trust in the media. Bloggers of Zambia promotes safety and security of journalists and independent media regulation under this thematic area of work.
Our Press Freedom Projects
The project with support from the Foreign Federal Ministry of the republic of Germany through the German Embassy in Lusaka. This project focuses on strengthening working relations between the police and journalists for the safety and security of journalists in Zambia. Under this project, we have been conducting joint provincial police and media dialogue forums to identify and find meaning dialogue to historical challenges that continue to compromise the work of journalists because of the work of law enforcement.
Between 2022 and 2024, Bloggers of Zambia served at the secretariat for the local in-country organizing committee for World Press Freedom Day, which is convened by the Media Liaison Committee (MLC).
World Press Freedom Day commemoration is an important day for raising critical issues that continue to negatively affect the operating environment for journalists. It is a day for calling out and promoting freedom of expression, access to information, peaceful assembly and association. The day also focuses on safety of journalists, which is not only a global concern, but it has also become crucial in the Zambian context.