The Zambia Public Relations Association (ZAPRA), led by Irene Lungu Chipili, is pleased to announce that the Zambia Institute of Public Relations and Communication (ZIPRC) is now an Act of Parliament.
Bill Number 11 of 2022 passed Parliament’s final reading stage on June 29, 2022 and has since been assented to by Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, the President of the Republic of Zambia.
It is now earmarked for gazetting in the Government Gazette Notice as well as included under the Statute. The enactment of ZIPRC law is a big achievement that the Association has been working on since its inception in 2008.
With this law in place, the Public Relations (PR) and communication landscape will be redefined and a high level of professionalism is expected among professionals in the nation.
Through this law, only qualified and competent practitioners will be licensed and permitted to operate while ZIPRC will also work towards shaping those in training and aspiring for PR and communication practice in Zambia.
The Institute will have the impetus to offer professional guidance and advice on matters of PR and communication from across businesses, corporate and Government entities.
Subsequent steps will include the development of regulations (Statutory Instrument) for ZIPRC.
On behalf of ZAPRA, I wish to sincerely thank the Ministries of Information and Media as well as Justice for facilitating the processes leading to the enactment of the ZIPRC an Act of Parliament.
Our gratitude further goes to Members of Parliament (MPs), ZAPRA members and other stakeholders who played a role leading to the successful enactment of this Bill into Law.
I wish to appeal to all PR and communication practitioners to seriously acquaint themselves with the provisions of the new Law to ensure that our practice is within the confines of the Law.
