Assessing the Effects of Media Ownership on Journalism Practices:A Case Study of Private Electronic Media Houses in Lusaka

Ms. Patricia Njobvu; | Dr. Sycorax T. Ndhlovu

doi:10.18535/sshj.v9i03.1732

Abstract

This study examines the effects of media ownership on journalism practices, using a case study approach focused on private electronic media houses in Lusaka, Zambia. The research aimed to assess the influence of media ownership on content production, agenda-setting, and news coverage, while investigating its role in media bias, censorship, editorial decision-making, and ethical practices. Additionally, the study explores how ownership impacts the autonomy and independence of journalists in these media outlets. The case study design was adopted to allow for an in-depth analysis of private media houses, with a particular emphasis on how ownership structures shape journalistic output. Purposive sampling was used to select key media professionals, including journalists, editors, and managers, from private electronic media houses in Lusaka. Data collection involved structured questionnaires and interviews, which gathered both quantitative and qualitative information on the respondents' experiences with ownership influence. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data, while qualitative data were processed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that media ownership plays a critical role in shaping editorial content, often reflecting the political or commercial interests of the owners. This influence frequently leads to biased news coverage, where stories are selected or framed to align with ownership agendas. Many journalists reported facing censorship or indirect pressure to conform to the priorities of media owners, which often resulted in compromised ethical standards, particularly in fairness and accountability. Furthermore, ownership was shown to affect the autonomy of journalists, with many experiencing significant restrictions on their independence in decision-making. Based on these findings, the study recommends the implementation of stronger regulatory frameworks to promote transparency in media ownership and protect editorial independence. Additionally, alternative funding models are encouraged to reduce the dependence of media houses on politically motivated funding. The study also advocates for internal policies that prioritize journalistic integrity and ongoing professional development for journalists to navigate ownership pressures effectively. Enhancing public media literacy is suggested as a way to support independent journalism. These results provide valuable insights into the relationship between media ownership and journalistic practices in Zambia, with broader implications for media freedom and ethics.

Keywords

Media ownershipJournalism practicesMedia biasEditorial decision-makingMedia independence

References

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[refR-2] Baker, C. E. (2007). Media concentration and democracy: Why ownership matters. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Bryman, A. (2016). Social Research Methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Cheeseman, N. and Hinfelaar, M. (2018). 'The political economy of Zambia's media: Consolidation and control', African Affairs, 117(468), pp. 459–485.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) (2020). Attacks on the press 2020. New York: CPJ.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Croteau, D. and Hoynes, W. (2006). The business of media: Corporate media and the public interest. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Curran, J. and Seaton, J. (2018). Power without responsibility: The press, broadcasting, and the internet in Britain. London: Routledge.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Doyle, G. (2002). Media ownership: The economics and politics of convergence and concentration in the UK and European media. London: SAGE.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Flick, U. (2018). An Introduction to Qualitative Research (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Freedom House (2021). Freedom in the world 2021: Zambia. Available at: freedomhouse.org (Accessed: 13 December 2024).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? Field Methods, 18(1), 59–82.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Herman, E. S. and Chomsky, N. (1988). Manufacturing consent: The political economy of the mass media. New York: Pantheon Books.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Herman, E. S. and Chomsky, N. (2002). Manufacturing consent: The political economy of the mass media (2nd ed.). New York: Pantheon Books.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Kovach, B. and Rosenstiel, T. (2007). The elements of journalism: What newspeople should know and the public should expect. New York: Crown Publishing.Google Scholar ↗

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[refR-17] McChesney, R. W. (2008). The political economy of media: Enduring issues, emerging dilemmas. New York: Monthly Review Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] McChesney, R. W. (2016). Rich media, poor democracy: Communication politics in dubious times. New York: The New Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] McCombs, M. E. and Shaw, D. L. (1972). 'The agenda-setting function of mass media', Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(2), pp. 176–187.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail's mass communication theory (6th ed.). London: SAGE.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-21] Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) (2019). Media diversity and ownership in South Africa. Pretoria: MDDA.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-22] Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia (2019). Media ownership and pluralism in Zambia. Lusaka: MISA Zambia.Media Ownership Monitor (MOM) Zambia (2020). Concentration of media ownership in Zambia. Lusaka: MOM.Google Scholar ↗

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[refR-24] Noam, E. M. (2009). Media ownership and concentration in America. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-25] Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-26] Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (2020). Digital news report 2020. Oxford: Reuters Institute.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-27] Shoemaker, P. J. and Reese, S. D. (1996). Mediating the message: Theories of influences on mass media content (2nd ed.). White Plains, NY: Longman.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-28] Simutanyi, N. (2020). 'Media pluralism and public discourse in Zambia', Zambian Journal of Communication Studies, 7(2), pp. 112–127.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-29] Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) (2014). Code of ethics. Available at: spj.org (Accessed: 13 December 2024).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-30] StataCorp. (2015). STATA User's Guide Release 14. StataCorp LP.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-31] The Post Newspaper (2016). 'Closure and implications for press freedom', Zambian Media Journal, 4(1), pp. 23–37.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-32] UNESCO (2019). World trends in freedom of expression and media development. Paris: UNESCO.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-33] Williams, K. (2020). Understanding media theory (3rd ed.). London: Bloomsbury.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-34] Wimmer, R. D., & Dominick, J. R. (2013). Mass Media Research: An Introduction (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-35] Yin, R. K. (2014). Case Study Research: Design and Methods (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-36] Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) (2020). Media regulation and press freedom in Zambia. Lusaka: ZICTA.Google Scholar ↗