Analyzing the Intersection of Digital Trade and Children’s Rights in Zambia’s Broadcasting Sector

Abstract

This thesis is on the need to address the alarming exposure of children to harmful and inappropriate digital content as it continues to raise issues regarding appropriateness, cultural representation, and the overall impact on children’s development and well-being. A study conducted by World Vision and other organizations brought to light that the current laws and enforcement mechanisms fall short in adequately and effectively affording the children in Zambia protection in relation to media and the digital environment. In spite of progress made through legislation such as the Children’s Code Act of 2022, Independent Broadcasting Act (IBA) and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) which are mandated with the oversight of broadcasting standards and media practices and the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child (UNCRC), particularly, Article 17, which provides that children have the right to access information that is appropriate for their age and development. It also emphasizes the importance of protecting children from harmful content, while also advocating for the enriching media experiences, and the Child Online Protection Strategy initiated in 2020, provided that challenges remain in addressing enforcement gaps, clarity of laws, and lack of practical application Moreover, while these legal frameworks exist, there is limited understanding of how broadcasting houses in Zambia acknowledge and respond to the presence and protection of children from harmful digital content. Broadcasting houses, as key media entities, are tasked with a significant role. The role provides for the shaping content and influencing public awareness. It is, therefore seen that the current legal frameworks are inadequate, unclear, and potentially ineffective in addressing these challenges. This provides the need for a critical analysis and revision of the existing legal framework to ensure that it is not only thorough, but also applicable and enforceable, thereby providing a more just and effective system that better protects children. Furthermore, there is a need to critically analyze the role of the media authoritative bodies, coordination and cooperation of the key players that regulate broadcasting and the procedural safeguards and content standards set in Zambia and the identification of effective practices from other jurisdictions that could be adopted to safeguard children from exposure to harmful and inappropriate content.