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Honourable Chushi Kasanda, Minister of Information and media, and MPs
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Honourable members from the United Nations system, the EU and member states
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Ladies and gentlemen from the media
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All protocols observed
2023 is a significant year in the life of our Union, as it turns 60 on the 25th of May. It was on this day in 1963 that leaders of then independent African states gathered in Addis Ababa, and ushered in a new chapter for Africa; one characterised by among others, the desire to advance unity, solidarity and development of the African nations, and to put an end to colonialism and apartheid.
Honourable Minister, Ladies and gentlemen.
Zambia has played a proud and significant role in the history of our OAU-AU, as illustrated by the championing of the Frontline States by the late former President Kenneth Kaunda, to defeat apartheid and white minority rule.
The continent will recall that on 25th May 2021, the African Union bestowed its high honour on the former President.
The continent will also recall that it was at the Lusaka Summit of 2001 that heads of state and government passed the Lusaka Declaration, which provided a timeline for the creation of the African Union.
In celebration of the 60 years of service to Africa, the Union is launching a communication campaign using the hashtag #OurAfricaOurFuture, that tracks the key achievements, as well as the challenges and plans for the way forward.
In this regard, the Union is encouraging journalists to use their platforms, voices and pens, to inform, educate and engage with citizens.
It was very encouraging to note on arrival, that the ZNBC has already started including news and information on the anniversary in its programming.
Honourable Minister, ladies and gentlemen
In this complex today, are more than 300 journalists, media experts, scholars and journalists associations from the five regions of the continent, who are attending the 2nd Africa Media Conference, under the theme “A Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a driver for all other human rights”.
Over the past few days we have witnessed an impressive meeting of minds and an unparalled commitment to improve the environment for journalists on the continent.
Representatives of four organs of the AU actively participated; imparting information; explaining and taking questions on the ways in which they give practical meaning to instruments of the AU that speak to freedom of expression, access to information and safety of journalists, under the principles of subsidiarity and complementarity.
The organs are the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, the African Court on Human and People’s Rights, the African Peer Review Mechanism and the African Union Commission, which provided the mechanisms it deploys to ensure that journalists have access to information and freedom of expression.
As the Chairperson of SAEF has indicated, the conference found that there are countries and institutions that have made progress in promoting media freedoms in accordance with African Union instruments such as the Declaration of Principles on Access to Information and Freedom of Expression in Africa; and Zambia was given as one of the examples.
Reports were also given, of cases where media laws and practices fall short of African and international standards.
There were recommendations made, to improve safety for journalists in humanitarian and health crises, such as the recent COVID19 pandemic, where the media fraternity lost many colleagues to the disease.
The long standing plight of women journalists was highlighted as needing special attention, as studies have shown they continue to suffer harassment, threats, and lack of upward mobility in the work place.
The declaration that is being finalised will specify actions for different stakeholders in the quest for freedom of speech, to information and safety of journalists.
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I would like to conclude with expressions of sincere gratitude to UNESCO, particularly the Addis Ababa office, who gave so much of themselves and their organization, to make this conference a success, coming as it did, a week after the global celebrations of World Press Freedom day.
The African Union sponsored the travel of some of the journalists attending, and provided technical support and expertise.
I would also like to congratulate the Southern African Editors Forum, editors’ forums from the different regions of our continent, and the Zambian Media Liaison Committee, who all worked diligently in support of each other, to make this conference the resounding success that it has been.
Most importantly Minister, allow me, on behalf of the African Union Commission, to thank you, the government and people of the Republic of Zambia, for the legendary hospitality that your country gave to everyone who travelled for this conference.
We were welcomed with open hearts, and did not want for anything.
At the close of the event, we will go away with forward looking and actionable resolutions in our pockets, good memories of Zambia; and, perhaps, plans of coming back with family and friends in tow.
I thank you
