Mozambique: Freedom of the press and expression should be extended, PM says

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Mozambique: Freedom of the press and expression should be extended, PM says

8:38 CAT | 14 Nov 2018

File photo: Lusa

Mozambican Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario on Wednesday in Maputo called for extending the use of freedom of the press and expression, by improving the sector’s laws, noting that the media is currently facing huge challenges.

“The Government’s vision is to ensure the continuous development of a media industry based on a regulatory framework conducive to the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms, such as freedom of expression and the press and the right of citizens to information,” said Rosário.

Rosário noted the commitment of the Mozambican Government to creating a healthy environment for the media in his speech at the National Seminar on Harmonisation of the Legislative Package of the Media Sector, which began on Wednesday in Maputo.

Freedom of the press is one of the basic pillars of the democratic system and good governance, because it encourages free dissemination and debate about different currents of opinion and thought, he said.

“We want to restate the Government’s commitment to continue to have the public and private media as strategic partners for the consolidation of national unity, democracy, a culture of peace and sustainable development,” said the Mozambican prime minister.

Rosário said Mozambique needs to improve the regulatory framework in the media, taking into account the changes that have occurred since the adoption of the Press Law in 1991.

The sector, he said, faces challenges related to the need for journalism based on respect for rigour, objectivity, lack of bias and a focus on professional ethics.

Wednesday’s meeting brings together representatives of the Government and civil society to harmonise proposals for revising the Press Law and the new Broadcasting Law, as well as the Journalists’ Statute and the Professional License.

Source: Lusa