The secretary-general of Mozambique's National Journalists' Union (SNJ), Faruco Sadique, argued on Thursday, 1 October, in Maputo, that new media laws and their accompanying regulations could strengthen professional ethics and bring order to a sector characterised by persistent violations of legal, ethical, and deontological standards.
"We hope this process will help better regulate a sector that, in recent years, appears to have descended into a situation where everyone does as they please, resulting in violations of the legal, ethical, and deontological norms of the profession," Sadique said at the opening of the Seminar on the Socialisation of the Media Legislative Package.
Organised by the Mozambique Information Office (Gabinfo), the gathering forms part of a nationwide campaign to disseminate draft regulations under the new laws. In his address, Sadique also pointed to attempts by certain quarters to "curtail the freedom" of journalists, as well as the "ostracism" to which reporters are frequently subjected by their sources.
During the seminar, it was confirmed that the regulations governing the media law, along with the fee schedules provided for under the new broadcasting law, are to be submitted for approval by the Council of Ministers. For the SNJ secretary-general, the new provisions — implementation of which is scheduled for completion by December — represent a step forward for the industry.
Among the key changes, Sadique highlighted the introduction of a Journalist Statute and the mandatory professional press card. In his view, these measures could help "separate the wheat from the chaff" in the practice of the profession and contribute to reducing reliance on precarious labour arrangements, particularly the prolonged use of interns.
He also argued that the new broadcasting law could invigorate and regulate an area that was poorly covered by the previous press law — a development of particular relevance in a country that has experienced a boom in community, religious, and commercial radio and television stations over recent decades.
Gabinfo, for its part, maintained that the new regulations aim to establish clear mechanisms for the operation of media organisations within the legal framework.
"The objective is not to create barriers to media activity, but to ensure that outlets and their activities are properly identified, organised, and in compliance with the requirements defined by law," said Sílvia Nhaduate, head of Gabinfo's Legal Department.
Among the principal changes introduced by Law No. 19/2026, which replaces Law No. 18/91 that has been in force since August 1991, is enhanced protection for journalists through the enshrining of conscientious objection and professional confidentiality. The legislation also limits media ownership concentration and caps foreign capital participation in media organisations at 35 percent.
The law seeks to align the media sector with the "prevailing constitutional and legal framework and technological advances", and will now encompass informational and journalistic publications distributed exclusively via the internet.
The new broadcasting law further establishes a "family viewing watershed" between 06:00 and 20:00, during which content deemed inappropriate for children and adolescents — including extreme violence, offensive language, explicit sexual content, and depictions of drug use — will be prohibited.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/10/01/desenvolvimento-2/sindicato-de-jornalistas-defende-regras-mais-rigidas-para-reforcar-etica-no-sector/
