Mozambique will hold nationwide consultations from 1 to 15 September on proposed reforms to its media legislation, including the creation of a new Broadcasting Law. The review process will also update the 34-year-old Press Law, with key changes covering the regulation of social media and the introduction of professional press cards.
Although the Press Law has been submitted several times to the National Assembly since the first attempt to revise it in 2006, it has never been debated. It will now return to the public arena for discussion.
“The instrument will regulate and update the legal framework governing the sector, replacing Law No. 18/91, the Press Law. More than three decades later, an update is necessary. This new statute, which will replace the law in force since 1991, is aligned with the Constitution of the Republic, which reinforces press freedom and freedom of expression,” said Emília Moiane, Director of the Government’s Information Office, according to local media outlets.
Among the proposed changes is the inclusion of social media platforms under the remit of the Information Office. A new legislative instrument – the Broadcasting Law – will also be introduced.
“The new digital platforms, particularly social media, which are currently unregulated, will now fall under a legal framework. This process will strengthen the rights of media professionals and ensure impartial, transparent and technical regulation of the sector,” Moiane added.
The Broadcasting Law is described as a completely new measure aimed at addressing developments such as the country’s transition to digital television.
Another key change involves the introduction of a professional press card for journalists. However, the National Union of Journalists has cautioned that debate on the criteria for its issuance will take place later.
“This is only the first step: approval of a law that will include one or two articles on the subject. The next step will be to regulate the law. The Union and various media professionals across the country have been working in recent years on a model for the future regulation of the press card,” said Faruco Sadique, Secretary-General of the National Union of Journalists, adding that proposals have already been put forward on the model to adopt.
The consultation process will take place nationwide through seminars and workshops, coordinated by the Information Office of Mozambique, the National Union of Journalists, MISA-Mozambique and the Higher Council for Social Communication.
