Government says the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Act mandates the ZNBC Board powers to take legal action if aggrieved by an individual, a group of people or an institution.
And Government has advised ZNBC management and board, media houses, institutions and members of the general public to channel their complaints to the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) besides the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS).
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Joseph Katema, in a ministerial statement issued in Parliament today, said ZNBC staff, management and board is protected through the ZNBC Act.
Dr Katema regretted the incident on behalf of government and advised the public including institutions to pursue other avenues if they want to complain such as his ministry, the IBA or any other relevant public body.
Dr Katema commended ZNBC Board Chairman, John Mulwila, for publicly condemning senior government officials for storming ZNBC Newsroom where ZNBC workers were issued with un-palatables and threatened with dismissals.
Dr Katema, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, said the media as the fourth estate is the eyes of the people hence Government has embarked on a wide range of measures to reform and reposition the media industry in the country.
The minister reminded journalists in the country to exhibit high levels of professionalism and warned that ethics are non-negotiable.
He appealed to the media personnel to be on high alert on politicians with selfish agendas as political actors compete for leadership during this transition period following the loss of late President, Michael Sata, who died last month in a London hospital.
Dr Katema was, however, at pains to explain to the House on the statement allegedly issued by MIBS Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kasolo, who condemned ZNBC Board differing from his on the policy direction on what government would do in the near future on ZNBC as well as people who came in conflict with the law by way of trespassing.
He stated that he would seek audience with the Secretary to Cabinet, Roland Msiska, on the alleged behaviour of his PS and subordinate Officer, Chanda Kasolo.
Over the weekend, Youth and Sports Minister, Chishimba Kambwili and PF Deputy Secretary General, Anthony Kasolo stormed ZNBC newsroom, harassed and ordered Director of News and Current Affairs, Kenneth Maduma, to remove certain news items from the main news bulletin.
Way to go Dr Katema,i hope Guy Scott follows suit….
This sudden change in the attitude by PF ‘s spokes person,brings out one reality, that is PF is quickly winding up and people want to be considered for job in the future government.
To completely win our favour Katema must tell us why, and who forced them to lie about Sata’s illness.
Last kicks of a dying horse.
joseph katema has proved for the first that he is a doctor,,,,, there is a big difference between his thinking and those stormers
Lol u guys are dull u are showering praises katema for being professional for the first, look here KATEMA is in the Lungu and inonge team, that was harassed by Kambwili, if scot was to be in parliament he would have fired the ZNBC board chair. So open your eyes
Jay jay
You can imagine these are the educated elite of Zambia.They can’t see the undertones here.
confusion of the highest order….
ati kuya bebele…. fools soon to be unemployed
Zambian parliamentarians are a disgrace,why can’t they force masebo and stop the draconian mentality being exhibited by PS kasolo of having one contact person from each party,the specialization differ,economic,legal,political are dealt by competent people in this fields and are better place to respond to queries.
Is it true that kabimba has resigned from pf?
Most likely to join another party and maybe……dare we think…run as a candidate? Or has he missed registration!!
Oh this is going to be a hum dinger!
Well, we highly commend in turn, Hon Katema coming out to speak on behalf of gov’t in relation to these disgraceful escapades by PF Members; who sought to force their own agenda in relation to the coming election and various candidates.
The conduct is unacceptable and Guy Scott, the so called, disciplinarian of the party should have spoken out and suspended all these members since they have acted in contradiction of party directions.
Anthony Kasolo must be brought before Zambia’s Legal disciplining board. As a Defence representative to the Presidents office and other party members in current Legal actions, he is in breach of legal ethics, clearly. He is acting as a Shylock for his clients, threatening and abusing! Chanda Kasolo, I feel is a victim to brothers conduct.
Well said comrade patriot, once again Guy Scott shows his true colors with his double standards..he was quick to “discipline” supporters of EL and now that his lackeys go around harrasing poor underpaid reporters at ZNBC including our uncle Maduma (who would dare harass this man who is the only ZNBC employee to have been there since the days of black and white tvs???) GS doesnt even release an official statement to condemn those actions, he does nothing, I will not be surprised if these lackeys go on to join UPND after they are defeated by EL come the 29th of November..sad it has come to this but their true colors are now seen. Viva Edgar 2015, viva Edgar 2016!!!
PF should weed out thuggish Characters.
Katema started it all by openly stating that Lungu was Satas favorite and should be the PF presidential candidate.He was in that group that didnt want to go to the conference and so can not support Kambwili but just critisize him.Hes not the best man to comment on this issue.
@Inonge
He is the Minister in charge of the Broadcasting service involved. Therefore is the correct person to address this.
Katema did not start anything! He did not storm ZNBC ordering them to promote Edgar.
There is a difference to giving a truthful opinion and that action of threatening people not to do their jobs in peace!
He is minister of information. He is the best person to talk about this incident.
I pray Lungu wins, so as Kambwili and the likes of Masebo can finally leave our country alone.
Yes! That is really what we need. Clean ethical politicians. Cull out the culprits.
And Lungu is a clean politician…I guess a lawyer who is barred from LAZ is clean according to your standard.?
Politicians are sick in their heads. Immediately Lungu wins he will say ‘I have forgiven Kambwili and Marambirwa for the sake of unity in the party’! these guys make me sick!
Hon. Dr Katema MP, on this issue you have shown the highest level of patriotism. You deserve a pat on the back. Chishimba and that lady who is on record having verbally abused HE President Sata, both have no shame and belong to the stone age.
I don’t think Dr Katema should be heaped praise here. He said what he said because his side of the bread is battered. He is in the Lungu camp ..these are just signs of how divided PF is. If PF was a united house, he was not going to condemn kambwili
You guys are dull. Katema came out in support of the board chairman because the perpetrators of the crime are not in his camp. Kambwili and kasolo are on the side Guy scott and the convention while Katema is on the Lungu side and against the convention. If you ask Guy scott about Mulwila’s action he would rather fire that board chairman for coming7 out like that against Kasolo, his hand picked DSG. Thinks guys.
Thinks? really thinks! lol.
At least Katema explained what the law says than what Kambwili Kasolo and Masebo did. Congrats mwaice Katama.
This is how it should be. Why intimidate ZNBC individuals. Thank you very much government for being correct!!!
Look at the above corrupt bloggers trying to down play the importance of the information minister speaking up.
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Great – this guy is actually not only a Doctor but intellectually clever too! How on earth can anyone condone Kambwili’s behaviour? Only Scott and wide open legs Masebo can!!
Cool guy Katema – you are fabulous!!
Chorus
mwansa leta ubwembya
tume ishilu
mwansa leta ubwembya
tume ishilu
tume cintomfwa, tume mwansa kabinga
atu chusha muno!
**************
Chanda, ba Katema baku sonta umunwe. Basop!
I’m at a loss here. When they say “government” who are they referring to? That fat bà satrd Kambwili? That crazy bit?h Masebo? Who??
Married women c’nt insult senior citizens lyk mr maduma, its only educated n unmarried prostitutes who can do so. Shame on Belinda
Katema also abused his position on 11/11/2014 when he appeared on ZNBC to lie to the nation that Lungu is the annoited. Annoited by Sata who was in a vegetative state prior to his departure to London! Politicians like Katema, Kasonde and Luo are bunch of shameful Doctors and Prof who are no different from that sub 0 (sub not) Kambwili. They display politics of the stomach.
There was something wrong at that time. There is no smoke without fire. There was a perceived need for quick action. The public media is owned by every tax payer, including PF officials. Moreover, objectivity does not necessarily imply fair reporting. When an issue is confusing, then why proceed to report it? First, seek clarification. This can be achieved by a recorded phone conversation, a live phone conversation or even using interviews where the parties pledge to address issues ethically and responsibly. The media is sensitive political asset. If the staff are found wanting, then some action will take place.
If the all these insults were votes, wrong politicians where going to win elections.