The Media High Council (MHC) has called for the amendment of some articles of the new media law citing that the current legislation ‘seems to add value to media development and professionalism but could instead hinder its growth and development.’

The decision was made during the just-concluded two-day retreat of the board members of the media regulatory body.

Speaking to The New Times yesterday, the Executive Secretary of MHC, Patrice Mulama, said that the body serves as a constitutional organ whose mandate must be included and clarified in the supreme constitutional law as the case applies to other public institutions.

"Other autonomous public institutions report to parliament, MHC must follow suit. This will minimize doubts over its independence and will conform to international standards,” Mulama said.

Mulama added that the board resolved to present the major gaps and weaknesses prevalent in the new media law to the ministries of Justice and Information for urgent consideration and amendment.

A statement released by MHC stated that the key resolutions of the retreat were to ensure that MHC becomes more transparent, communicative and consistent while discharging its mandate to professionalize the local media.

MHC also resolved to organise workshops each year that aim at assessing and evaluating its implementations so as to be more significant to society.

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