Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo says the media in Zambia should explore new ways and technologies that will help them recover from the massive changes and the competition currently taking shape in the sector.

Speaking at the launch of the MTN Zambia media club in Lusaka, Friday, Kasolo implored media players to begin innovating in new ways that help them meet the expectations of their audiences in terms meeting the demand for news and information.

Kasolo noted that the emergence of social media had created a shift in the way the public consumed news.

“The rise of new media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others, has created a shift in the manner the public consumes news content. Media houses have to adapt to this change by offering citizens news in a format that is faster and seamless with their lifestyles. It is against this background that I call on the media in Zambia to explore new ways and technologies that will help them recover from the massive changes and competition that the media is currently undergoing,” Kasolo stated.

Kasolo urged media players to begin innovating in new ways of meeting the expectations of their audiences.

“To compete among 43 TV stations; 140 radio stations; 10 daily newspapers and countless digital platforms, media owners, editors, reporters and, indeed, all media players must begin to innovate and meet their audiences expectations and need for information. It is, therefore, important that the private sector reinforces their support and respect for the media through partnerships, such as we are launching here this evening. In more instances than few, we have witnessed the one-way relationship between the media and businesses in Zambia, where the media are only useful for the latest product launch or announcement,” Kasolo added.

Kasolo further stressed the need for partnerships aimed at equipping Zambian journalists with capacity and required competence to report on various business sectors.

“And too often, the media is not given reasonable room to understand businesses and the various sectors of our economy because of businesses withholding valuable information! Government wishes to see a more open and closer interface between the media and the private sector in order to give us a true picture of the vast investment undertakings in the country. As such, partnerships that equip Zambian journalists with capacity and competence to report on various business sectors, such as telecommunication, agriculture, mining, technology and tourism will always be welcomed and supported by the government,” said Kasolo.