ECZ should monitor media coverage of polls - Samasumo

ECZ should monitor media coverage of polls - Samasumo
By Moses Kuwema
Sat 18 Feb. 2012, 12:01 CAT

ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference spokesperson Father Paul Samasumo says the Electoral Commission of Zambia should institute some reliable mechanism for monitoring effectively how the media houses cover elections.

Speaking when he appeared before the parliamentary committee on information, broadcasting services and tourism on Thursday, which was looking at media coverage of elections in Zambia, Fr Samasumo said between now and the next general elections in 2016, the ECZ could start by strictly monitoring media coverage of any by-elections that take place.

"The ECZ should hold public media briefings and embark on exposing media offenders of the Electoral Code of Conduct regulations, in the same way that the Drug Enforcement Commission does when drug mules are nabbed," said Fr Samasumo who also spoke as Catholic Media Services executive director.

Fr Samasumo said the ECZ should also consider framing short and clear messages targeted at encouraging media houses and practitioners to strictly adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct Regulations.

Fr Samasumo further urged the ECZ to explore possibilities of using various media associations and the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) to educate media houses and practitioners about the need to comply with the Electoral Code of Conduct regulations.

He said the Electoral Code of Conduct regulations provided adequate basis to guide the desired level of professional media coverage of elections in Zambia.

"In virtually all instances of non-compliance with the regulations, experience has shown that authorities such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia failed to enforce the regulations," Fr Samasumo said.

He said there was need to double efforts to ensure that in future the Electoral Code of Conduct was effectively enforced.

Fr Samasumo further added that it was important for the PF government to reaffirm its assurance of liberating the public media by a clear media and information policy as well as by enacting media friendly laws.

And chairman of the House of Chiefs, chief Mazimawe proposed that in future elections, the public and private media should give equal access to all political parties.