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Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSaf) Executive Director, Lillian Keifer, says though the media has made strides in contributing to national development, there is still more that needs to be done.
Ms Keifer said the media in most countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region still lag behind in domesticating legislations that provide for unfettered access to information by its citizens.
She said most countries in the SADC region have in the recent past been grappling with or whether to enact the freedom of information (FOI) bills or the Access to Information Legislations.
Ms Keifer said this in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today ahead of the International World Press Freedom Day to be commemorated tomorrow under the theme “Safety of journalists and media workers”.
And MsKeifer said the Press Freedom Day is important as it illuminates the dreams and aspirations of the poor, marginalised and the minority groups in society.
She, however, expressed concern that the marginalised and the minority have not been given ample space in the region’s media platforms to air their views.
Meanwhile, Ms Keifer has called for a tax reduction on all broadcast and news print equipment, saying this will enhance the development of community media in the region.
