IS THE PRINT MEDIA ORPHANED IN ZAMBIA?

IT is quite sad that while newspapers continue to grapple with astronomical costs associated with procurement of equipment and production, the state of affairs does not seem to raise an alarm from the Government.

On the contrary, the electronic media, whose cost of production or costs associated with the procurement and importation of equipment is nothing compared to printing equipment, always seems to attract the attention of the Government. 

We do not want to appear antagonistic or sadistic. We actually commend the Government for its forward-thinking approach in fostering the growth and development of the media industry through the three-year tax holiday on broadcasting equipment.

We are alive to the fact that through Statutory Instrument No. 67 of 2023, electronic media houses have been given a leeway to import most, if not all the equipment required for their operations, at zero tax and this is how it should be. This is a positive development which will not only enable new radio and TV stations to procure their equipment with much ease, but will also reduce the cost associated with bringing such equipment in the country. 

This is commendable because the media in Zambia plays an important role of being the watchdog; focusing on what elites do rather than what citizens say about them. The media also provides a diversity of information and sources for the public.

The media in Zambia has made progress in enhancing the accountability of the state, state officials, and the general public and providing such incentives to enable the media to thrive, is very important.

However, we are boggled with the purposeful or inadvertent insensitivity that has continued being shown on the print media with regards to incentives aimed at lowering the cost of production. We are not saying the electronic media must not be accorded these incentives but our worry is why there has been grave silence with regard to helping the print media.

It must be known that the Government only runs two newspapers and the rest are in private hands. Every year, journalists are offloaded onto the media space in Zambia and not all of them are absorbed by the Times of Zambia, Daily Mail, or ZNBC.

While others decide to go into Public Relations, the majority join the private media and it is on this premise that the Government must pay particular attention to the private media as it plays a crucial role, not only in information dissemination, but job creation as well. 

No one is asking for money from the Government. All we are asking for is for the Government to create an enabling environment for all media houses to thrive because this is important in a free market economy like ours. 

For those who do not know, print media equipment is exorbitantly expensive. A Computer-to-Plate (CTP) machine which is a printing technology that transfers digital images from a computer directly to a printing plate used in modern printing presses and ideal for newspapers, cost over K1 million and we are talking about just one component of the full set.

On top of that, a modern newspaper printing machine costs almost K2 million and these are subject to duty upon importation. For daily printing, you need paper, ink, plates, etc and all these are imported and this is the reason we have very few newspapers that have maintained their business course because of these expenses.

Under normal circumstances, we would have expected the Government to first deal with this section of the media or at least extend the same olive branch to newspapers because we do not believe that any section of the media is more important than the other.

Newspapers in Zambia often struggle with limited financial resources, which makes it difficult for them to afford the high costs associated with printing. This can result in reduced print runs or even closure of some publications.

With the rise of digital media and online news platforms, readership of print newspapers has been declining. This decline in readership makes it harder for newspapers to generate sufficient revenue to cover their printing costs. As alluded to, the cost of printing materials, such as paper and ink, has been steadily increasing over the years. This puts additional financial pressure on newspapers, as they have to allocate more funds to cover these rising production costs.

Newspapers in Zambia often face challenges in distributing their print copies to various regions of the country. This has resulted in additional costs related to transportation and logistics, further adding to the overall printing costs.

Advertisers are increasingly shifting their advertising budgets towards digital platforms, such as social media and online news websites. This shift reduces the revenue generated from print advertisements, making it harder for newspapers to cover their printing costs.

The government plays a crucial role in supporting the newspaper industry through policies and financial incentives. However, in Zambia, there have been concerns about limited government support for the newspaper industry, which further exacerbates the challenges faced by newspapers in covering high printing costs. Overall, the high printing costs faced by newspapers in Zambia are a significant challenge that requires innovative strategies and financial support to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

Yes, removing or reducing taxes on printing equipment could be a beneficial step for the Zambian Government to support the newspaper industry. By doing so, the Government can help alleviate the financial burden faced by newspapers in Zambia, making it more affordable for them to invest in modern printing equipment.

Reducing or removing taxes on printing equipment would have several advantages for newspapers. Lower taxes on printing equipment would reduce the initial investment required for newspapers to upgrade or maintain their printing facilities. This would help them save money and allocate resources to other areas, such as content development or digital transformation.

With reduced taxes on printing equipment, newspapers would have the opportunity to invest in more advanced and efficient printing technology. Upgrading to modern equipment can enhance printing quality, increase production speed, and reduce operational costs in the long run.

By enabling newspapers to upgrade their printing capabilities, the Government would help them remain competitive in the digital era. Improved printing quality and efficiency can attract readers and advertisers, contributing to the sustainability of the industry.

A thriving newspaper industry supported by modern printing equipment can create employment opportunities in the printing and publishing sectors. This can have positive economic and social impacts by reducing unemployment and promoting skills development.

Newspapers play a vital role in providing information and promoting freedom of the press. By supporting the newspaper industry through tax incentives on printing equipment, the Government can contribute to a diverse media landscape and ensure the availability of reliable and independent news sources.

It is important to note that removing or reducing taxes on printing equipment should be part of a comprehensive strategy to support the newspaper industry. Other measures, such as addressing distribution challenges, providing training and capacity-building programs, and promoting digital transformation, should also be considered to ensure the long-term viability of newspapers in Zambia.