ON World Press Freedom Day, Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana stood before a gathering in Livingstone and made a pronouncement that media owners are doing well financially, but they are paying their journalists “slave wages.” The remark drew attention, but not for the reasons he might have hoped. Instead of highlighting concern for journalists’ welfare, it exposed the unfortunate and ongoing hypocrisy of a government that talks a great deal about press freedom and support for independent journalism, yet does very little to actually foster a sustainable, equitable media environment in Zambia. Let us be clear, the plight of journalists in Zambia is real. Many are underpaid, overworked, and exposed to enormous pressure, both from within their organizations...