Stecab Publishing
Article section
Examining Media Ownership and its Effects on Journalism Practices: A Study of Electronic Private Media Houses in Lusaka District of Lusaka Province
Authors
-
Leya Namonje
Department of Social Sciences, Information and Communications University (ICU), and Zambia Research and Development Center, Lusaka, Zambia
-
Sycorax Ndhlovu
Department of Social Sciences, Information and Communications University (ICU), and Zambia Research and Development Center, Lusaka, Zambia
Abstract
The media in Africa continues to encounter significant obstacles in carrying out its mandate. The continent's little progress in advancing press freedom and freedom of expression has been masked by laws and acts by some regimes that continue to obstruct the establishment of professional and independent media. This study investigates the interplay between media ownership, ethics, and censorship, and their combined influence on the quality of journalism. It highlights the significant role of media ownership in shaping news coverage, with concentrated ownership often leading to biased reporting and a lack of diverse perspectives. The research is guided by the following objectives; to investigate the influence of media ownership in news coverage under private media, to explore the effects of media ethics rating on the quality of journalism under private media, and to assess political bias threats to democracy. The research uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. A sample of 50 respondents is used to collect data. The research found that adherence to ethical principles, such as truthfulness, fairness, and independence, directly correlates with the trustworthiness of journalism. However, the study also revealed significant challenges in this area, particularly the consequences of ethical breaches. Findings emphasize the necessity of a holistic approach to address these challenges, including promoting transparency in media ownership, reinforcing ethical journalism practices, and safeguarding against censorship. The study offers actionable recommendations, such as diversifying media ownership, strengthening legal protections for journalists, enhancing media literacy, and fostering international collaboration to uphold press freedom. By addressing these issues, the African media can evolve into a more independent, ethical, and effective institution, crucial for advancing democracy and informed public discourse.
Keywords:
Article information
Journal
Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Science
Volume (Issue)
2(2), (2025)
Pages
31-40
Published
Copyright
Copyright (c) 2025 Leya Namonje, Sycorax Ndhlovu (Author)
Open access
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
ACE Encyclopaedia. (2023). Democratic principles in elections.
Bailey, K. D. (1994). Methods of social research (4th ed.). New York: The Free Press.
Banda, F. (2007). Zambia's media and democracy. Lusaka: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
Bennett, W. L., & Naim, M. (2015). The logic of connective action: Digital media and the personalization of contentious politics. Information, Communication & Society, 15(5), 739-768.
Black, J., Steele, B., & Barney, R. (1995). Doing ethics in journalism: A handbook with case studies. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Bray, M., & Kreps, D. (1987). Rational learning and rational expectations. Journal of Economic Theory, 35(1), 123–143.
Chama, C. (2014). Media ethics in Zambia. Lusaka: New Horizon Publications.
Choi, S. W., & James, P. (2007). Media freedom and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Journal of Peace Research, 44(1), 27-44.
De Marzo, P., Vayanos, D., & Zwiebel, J. (2003). Persuasion bias, social influence, and unidimensional opinions. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 118(3), 909-968.
Egbulefu, C. C., & Adeyeye, A. O. (2018). Media and social responsibility: A case for ethics in journalism. Lagos: Diamond Publications.
Freedom House. (2021). Freedom in the World 2021: The annual survey of political rights and civil liberties. Washington, DC: Freedom House.
Hartley, J. (1982). Understanding news. London: Routledge.
Herman, E. S., & Chomsky, N. (1988). Manufacturing consent: The political economy of the mass media. New York: Pantheon Books.
Higgins, J. W., Naylor, P. J., Berry, T., O'Connor, B., & McLean, D. (2006). The Health Promoter’s Toolbox: A Process Evaluation Tool for Health Promotion Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 97(1), 29-34.
Iyengar, S. (1991). Is anyone responsible? How television frames political issues. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Jere, M. (2019). Challenges of media ethics and professionalism in Zambia. Lusaka: Zambia Press Council.
Kazibwe, A. (2010). Media and society in Africa. Nairobi: African Books Collective.
Kombo, D. K., & Tromp, D. L. A. (2009). Proposal and thesis writing: An introduction. Nairobi: Pauline Publications.
Lakoff, G. (1987). Women, fire, and dangerous things: What categories reveal about the mind. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Levitsky, S., & Way, L. A. (2009). Competitive authoritarianism: Hybrid regimes after the Cold War. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lush, D. (1998). Media law and ethics in southern Africa. Windhoek: Media Institute of Southern Africa.
M’mbokela, B. (1994). The evolution of Zambia’s press. Lusaka: National Media Association.
Makungu, K. (2004). The dynamics of media ownership in Zambia. Lusaka: University of Zambia Press.
Merrill, J. C. (2011). Global journalism: Survey of international communication (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G. (2003). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. Nairobi: Acts Press.
Nasidi, M. (2016). Media ethics in Nigeria. Journal of African Media Studies, 8(1), 1-15.
Newth, M. (2010). A history of censorship. Oslo: Norwegian Non-Fiction Writers and Translators Association.
Nkwachi, B. (2015). In Pepple, T. A., & Acholonu, J. C. (2018). Essays in media ethics. Port Harcourt: Rivers State Press.
Pepple, T. A., & Acholonu, J. C. (2018). Essays in media ethics. Port Harcourt: Rivers State Press.
Phiri, B. J. (1999). Colonialism and the media in Northern Rhodesia. Lusaka: University of Zambia Press.
Plaisance, P. L. (2021). Media ethics: Key principles for responsible practice (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
Ranasinghe, S. (2019). Media and democracy: Challenges in South Asia. Colombo: South Asian Research Institute.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF). (2021). World Press Freedom Index 2021. Paris: RSF.
Robinson, O. C. (2014). Sampling in interview-based qualitative research: A theoretical and practical guide. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 11(1), 25-41.
Sidhu, K. S. (2006). Methodology of research in education. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers.
Siebert, F. S., Peterson, T., & Schramm, W. (1956). Four theories of the press. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.
Siemer, W. F., Decker, D. J., & Shanahan, J. E. (2007). Media frames for black bear management stories in New York State. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 12(1), 1-14.
Sjøvaag, H., & Ohlsson, J. (2019). Media ownership and agenda setting: Ownership patterns in the Nordic countries. Nordic Journal of Media Studies, 1(1), 17-33.
Slantchev, B. L. (2006). Politicians, the media, and domestic audience costs. International Studies Quarterly, 50(2), 445-477.
Sooriyabandara, M. (2023). Media, elections, and democracy in Sri Lanka. Colombo: Center for Policy Alternatives.
Tsegyu, S., & Asemah, E. S. (2014). Media ethics and societal responsibility in Nigeria. Jos: University of Jos Press.
Van Belle, D. A. (2000). Press freedom and the democratic peace. Journal of Peace Research, 37(2), 155-173.
Van, D. (2014). Media independence and public trust. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.
White, B. (2005). Writing your MBA dissertation. London: Continuum.
Wilbur, S. (1964). Mass media and national development. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
Journal information
Call for Papers
Author's Guidelines
Manuscript Template
References Guideline
Join in Editorial Team
