Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Sata’s utterances retrogressive and fear of H.H unfounded- OYV

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President Sata addressing a Cabinet meeting
President Sata addressing a Cabinet meeting

Operation young vote has expressed displeasure at President Sata’s directive to revoke national broadcasting licences for private radio stations.

OPV has described it as not only retrogressive but also a confirmation of the PF’s desire to keep Zambians starved of the much needed information that would ensure media growth and democracy. The OYV has said President Sata’s fear for opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema is testimony that the PF stands ready to disregard their manifesto when it suits them and further not to allow Zambians access rich, correct and true information on which to base their decisions now and in the future. Operation Young vote has concluded that the revocation of the national broadcasting licenses from the private media and the removal of PS Mwamba from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is a clear indication that even the much talked about Freedom of Information Law will never see the light of day at least under the current PF.

Below is a Full Press statement

PRESIDENT SATA’S UTTERANCES ON THE ACQUISITION OF NATIONAL BROADCASTING LICENSING BY SOME PRIVATE MEDIA INSTITUTIONS

Operation Young Vote is gravely appalled at the utterances and tone of His Excellence the President of the Republic of Zambia on the rightfully deserved national broadcasting licenses by some private media institutions that include Radio Phoenix and QFM Radio which were not only negative but sounded bitter and dictatorial.

The directive by the President to have the licenses revoked less than a month after the PF Government issued them through PS Mwamba is not only retrogressive but also a confirmation of the PF’s desire to keep Zambians starved of the much needed information that would ensure media growth and democracy.
The President’s categorical expression of fear for the opposition and Hakainde Hichilema (HH) in particular on being on Private National Media is testimony that the PF stands ready to disregard their manifesto when it suits them and further not to allow Zambians access rich, correct and true information on which to base their decisions now and in the future.

We are very saddened at the insinuation that the National Broadcasting status has all along been restricted to the Zambia National Broadcasting Cooperation (ZNBC) so as to preserve the Country’s integrity.

As an organization, we are of the view that such indications are retrogressive looking at the strides we have made as a country in trying to FREE OUR MEDIA and INFORMATION ACCESS especially as a democratic dispensation. Further, the President’s action is not a big blow to the media fraternity in media growth and information dissemination but also a huge subtraction to what Zambia has gained in the 49 years of independence.

From the President’s utterances, the revocation of national broadcasting licenses from the private media and the removal of PS Mwamba from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, it must be very clear to ALL the Doubting Thomases that even the much talked about Freedom of Information Law may never see the light of day at least under the current PF. There is determination to frustrate every progressive endeavor by the Government.

Signed
OPERATION YOUNG VOTE (OYV)

Guess Nyirenda (Mr.)
Executive Director

48 COMMENTS

    • People will turn to other forms of communication to spread the news. In Kaunda only ZNBC existed but people got to know the truth anyway and voted enmasse to get rid of the dictator.

      The only way Sata will manage to cling to power is by banning opposition parties; which is an impossibility.

      No matter what he does kuya bebele 2016 unless he begins to tackle these three social parameters for the better;
      1. Standard of living
      2. Cost of living
      3. Rights and Freedoms.

      Rampant infrastructure development alone will not guarantee him victory in 2016.
      The poor majority don’t recognise that. They care more about cost of living, standard of living and rights and freedoms.

    • @wanzelu
      I totally agree with you my brother, however, even if he tackled those three principals you have outlined, its too late to change the mood of the people besides there are no brains in pf with the capacity to change things around. 2016 no turning back

    • When you see a person starts behaving like a rabid dog, like the way Sata is behaving, just know ati ali ku matelo. Mark my words.
      In addition, know that anyone who befriends KK is indoshi because KK ni ndoshi nkalamba.

    • HH is the man, people are scared! lets try a younger and educated breed of leaders. Lets work together with HH to change Zambia for the better

  1. DULL OPPOSITION IN ZAMBIA.

    THEY HAVE NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT ONLY COMMENT BLINDLY .

    I WONDER WHAT TIME OPPOSITION WILL SELL THEIR MANIFESTOS.

  2. Even political leaders know it delay an African information and u can exploit their ignorance and this explains 49yrs of self rule but hardly no progress,if u r smart prove it in free and fair environment.

  3. My voice exactly.

    The hypocrisy and double-tongued attitude of the PF and SATA in particular should not be tolerated by all well-meaning Zambians but condemned in the strongest possible manner.

    It is not even 7 days from the day Zambia was celebrating 49 years of Independence, and we are witnessing such types of shocking behaviour from the highest office in the land – the entire president. It makes me wonder what values our president uses when making critical decisions that affect the entire nation. Is he so scared of HH that before he makes a decision, he has to examine how it will disadvantage HH.

    Mr. President please start governing the country. The opposition will always be there and MUST be there. Zambia needs genuine government, not this HH phobia you are always exhibiting.

    • Five questions:

      1. Who has power to revoke the SI on ba Sata’s pay rise?
      2. Who is violating Freedom of Expression?
      3. Who promised Radio Phoenix a national broadcast licence in 2011?
      4. Who wants to keep Zambians divided by denying them same information?
      5. Who is the one person who determines what happens in ZED and therefore should shoulder all the praises and blame?

  4. Kudos to the Barotse Indunas who ignored the so called “independence” celebrations. They certainly have their heads in the right place. There’s no freedom in Zambia but rule by semi literate dictators. Look at Kaunda and Sata! Are these the kind of people who can develop a country and respect human rights? Batu, honestly we need to go for educated young leaders not these relics!

  5. some lizard (kolyokolyo) somewhere is jittery over the young man HH, such that even private radio stations are suffering because of HH phobia. we are yet to witness more confusion in pf. groups of hyenas in each camp are re organising

  6. The only person SATA sees in dreams,t..is HH coz he can’t be corrupted as he has all he needs. As for NM he might be the next vp in pf.

  7. we know what makes Africa poor ignorance, lack of informed choices for educated informed decisions, and our own leaders trade in the lines of colonial master at this point u will say independence hasn’t worked of black people coz the same enemy in our skin.

  8. The President’s speech and exchange with Mr. Mwamba is extremely arrogant and embarrassing to Zambia.

    Mr. Sata needs to humble himself and serve Zambians with gratitude.

    He is doing the same thing RB was condemned for.

  9. This is the same man who said nice things about the launch of Zambia preparing the celebrations of the Jubilee, 50 yrs of independence afew days ago, he has already forgotten and now taking us back 49years. I hope ZNBC will be covering PF after 2016.

    • You still don’t know your president up to this stage? Dora Siliya wrote in one of her contribution in ZWD and compared Sata to Adolf Hitler. A dictator and the devil are the same and he will attack everyone including those that thought were safe. He will take away even the little that belongs to the poor because he is not ashamed. He will remove the children of God from their positions so that they could rely on him alone.

  10. OYV had been a great instrument of force and wisdom for youths, you have lost it Director. I am a founder member of OYV. MC Sata, even while asleep, I dont think he could be afraid of HH. HH shoots himself in legs, foot and sctch every time he speaks or tries to politically perform. OYV has/had worked closely with government on such matters and has a better understanding of the issue at hand, and it is sad they are being used to misinform youths and simply for money from some embassies, so that Mr. Guess Nyirenda can grow a tummy. what a sad state. I am sad about OYV state and I believe even people like Kalaluka Nkruma, Kennedy Phiri and other who helped form and stir OYV may not share those views. with love OYV and others

    • Thats what happens to people who are sent for diplomatic missions. They just sit down behind a computer all day supporting everything the president does, even the wrong things. My friend you are better off keeping quite on this issue, like your friend Saulosi has done. The president is in the wrong here, even a retard can see that. OYV is very right here.

    • Iwe Flag, it is not OYV who are saying sata is afraid of HH. Did you not hear Sata himself mention HH as the reason for revoking the licences? Why? Is that not fear?

  11. If I read this correctly Mr Mwamba was appointed to do a job and has now lost the job because he did it . Do all ministries have to refer back to the head of state before taking the decisions they are being paid to make ? Somebody please enlighten me.

    • Mwamba has earned an indelible place in history of freedom of expression. This is his finest hour! Henceforth, no one will talk about the quest for freedom of expression without mentioning Mwamba. He is down but not out. Mark my words. The biggest loser is PF and MC Sata. Zambians love freedom and someone will pay dearly for interfering with this fundamental freedom: freedom of expression!!

  12. When you see a person starts behaving like a rabid dog, like the way Sata is behaving, just know ati ali ku matelo. Mark my words.
    In addition, know that anyone who befriends KK is indoshi because KK ni ndoshi nkalamba.

  13. HH is just being lucky now even for having people like Former Deputy Speaker Mutale Nalumango as his National Chairperson. HH need to sit down and start meditations of both self and goals for himself and nation. He needs a lot of rethinking, political remodeling and reshaping his political case line career, in order for him to both look better and him being better president against Sata. He needs work on himself in terms of thought, hope and character evidence. He needs to be humble and read about people like Sata, Mbita Chitala, VJ, Daniel Munankombwe and Mutale Nalumango. Reading about these people would help him a lot in his ambitions to be president of Zambia. Zambians vote for hope, and he needs to create that hope for himself first clearly and set it before Zambians. With love

    • My friend HH is not the president. its actually sata who needs a lot of rethinking, and political remodeling. He is failing the people who voted for him, and all he thinks of is HH.

  14. What is going on, when did PS’ office had to report directly to a siting president? What is the role of ministers in this setup kashi? This sounds like concentrating all authority in one person and one office, typical of Kaunda approach in the 80s and before. What independence is there to be celebrated by the rule if they are not to enjoy the same level of being informed as a PF kaponya in Lusaka? PF will soon get rid of internet all together.

  15. IN 2010,
    THE DRC GOVERNMENT WANTED TO INVESTIGATE FOR “SUSPECTED WIDESPREAD MISCONDUCT” BY MINING COMPANIES SUCH AS FIRST QUANTUM.

    “FIRST QUANTUM REFUSED TO BE INVESTIGATED, THEY REFUSED STATING THAT ITS MINING CONTRACTS ARE FAIR AND LEGAL WHICH REQUIRED NO REVIEW.

    THE DRC KICKED THEM OUT.

    LATER, THE DRC AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH AFRICA, BENE M’POKO, SAID FIRST QUANTUM HAD VIOLATED THE LAW BROADLY. “WHEN THE NEW MINING CODE CAME IN 2002, WE ASKED EVERYONE TO CONFORM TO THE LAW. THAT IS WHY WE LAUNCHED THE REVIEW OF MINING LICENSES IN 2007,” .

    OYV ENGAGE GRZ IN MEANINGFUL DEBATES AND IN INVESTIGATIONS..

  16. Imwe banthu Sata has serious problems. These latest outbursts have nothing to do with Mwamba. It’s because he has realised that he has no powers. His powers were taken away by bwinjimfumu. He thought he could work behind Mwamba and Chikwelete but his game was known by the Kabimba group. He was threatened with exposure of his corruption hence his present rantings. They say where elephants fight, the grass suffers. The outbursts will continue, just watch this space. The man has been had. Sorry maningi.

  17. What we need in Zambia is a paradigm shift.Ashift from politics of poverty,cult worship and abuse of power by the president.
    IF PARADIGM SHIFT FAILS THEN EXPECT A PARADIGM PARALYSIS!

  18. Even after Sata is gone Northen, Luapula, Muchinga, Copperbelt will continue to support PF like Southern Province supports UPND. In democracy numbers matter.

  19. Democracy should flourish, media freedom should flourish, abuse of the media by insulting the head of stead must be stopped. Radio Phoenix and radio QFM are vibrant private radio stations. But overstepping their mandate to indulge in airing unprintables directed at the head of state is not exercising freedom of expression responsibly. HH was cited by the president as being a culprit who was in the habit of using private media to mislead the nation. Granting national wide licence to broadcast insults by disgruntled elements can not be condoned. I support Sata on this one. This is not to say the media is being gagged. Far from it. Otherwise there would have been no proliferation of private community radio stations.

  20. Democracy should flourish, media freedom should flourish, abuse of the media by insulting the head of state must be stopped. Radio Phoenix and radio QFM are vibrant private radio stations. But overstepping their mandate to indulge in airing unprintables directed at the head of state is not exercising freedom of expression responsibly. HH was cited by the president as being a culprit who was in the habit of using private media to mislead the nation. Granting national wide licence to broadcast insults by disgruntled elements can not be condoned. I support Sata on this one. This is not to say the media is being gagged. Far from it. Otherwise there would have been no proliferation of private community radio stations.

  21. In Tanzania there are countless private TV and radio stations broadcasting nationally. There is no restriction because they are responsible. Until we reach the levelheadedness of Tanzanians in debating issues with no malice and insults, we can just do with small radii coverages. By the way ZNBC has been transformed for the better. Any one with divergence views can use it with no insulting tones.

  22. A number of private radio and TV stations in Zambia, though broadcating with limited coverages do enjoy world wide coverages through online transmissions. Dissemination of information by satelite is also common for private radios and TVs.

  23. number of private radio and TV stations in Zambia, though broadcasting with limited coverages do enjoy world wide coverages through online transmissions. Dissemination of information by satelite is also common for private radios and TVs.

  24. You can see if you disrespect the president, he has all the powers to make any decision. Do not provoke people unnecessarily. You criticise, you oppose with due respect and courtesy not crudely like primitive apes. Sata has a plan and vision for this country. If you scheme to derail what he has on cards yo risk burning your fingers. Lets support him, lets build the country together. If you grave to become president wait for your appointed time. Some of the developmental undertakings being witnessed now in Zambia are unprecedented. We can all do well to appreciate them and the one in charge

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