Friday, March 29, 2024

Poor wages for scribes in private media are a threat to freedom of information

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The Press Association of Zambia, PAZA, says poor working conditions that journalists are subjected to are a threat to freedom of information.

PAZA vice president, Amos Chanda, told ZANIS in an interview today that reports that journalists in the private media were getting as low as K150, 000 were regrettable.

Mr Chanda observed that a free press could not exist with poor working conditions as journalists would not be motivated to work hard and save society diligently.

He added that good working conditions were an essential component in advancing calls to have a free press in the country.

He appealed to private media institutions to consider improving working conditions for journalists saying journalists played an important in the development of the country as they kept the nation informed on issues of national interest.[quote]

Mr. Chanda said PAZA would continue playing its advocacy role for better working conditions for journalists in the private media for the development media fraternity.

Mr. Chanda, however, said PAZA hoped that the Zambia Union Journalists and Zambia Union of Broadcasters and Information Disseminators, ZUBID, would quickly start negotiations with the managements in the private media.

On Sunday, Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha, called on the private media to improve working conditions saying some journalists were being paid as low as K150, 000 per month.

ZANIS

26 COMMENTS

  1. This is the intention of a corrupt government. They surely will not support this part and will make sure that Journalists can be bought to spread news for them. PAZA should put on top of it’s Agenda the support for good journalism in Zambia. we need the Press with its unbiased information.

  2. I don’t know the technical term in English, but here in Germany they have what they call “Solidaritätszuschlag” for all those earning less money than others who are doing the same job.
    This is supposed to create equal pay by deducting from the rich and giving to the poor. Why can’t we try it out in Zambia?

  3. Pay they the independents enough dough the more controversial their articles they more information we get as readers. Let us buy independent print as readers. Between their news and the state run institutions is the truth. Nice.

  4. Mass Media has taken on a different face with the demise of print media due to the internet. Journalism will not be a career anymore. It may take a little while for newspapers in developing countries to die completly but in the west its happening and major newspapers are shutting down. Readership has moved to websites and blogs. It’s all morphing to one screen.

  5. Hmmmm, Imwe, is it K150.000 or K1.500.00. Honestly how can a professional person survive on that ?monthly salary?? shocking indeed.

  6. #6!! Those two figures look similar. I am confused. Maybe you meant K1 500 000 !!!

    Anonymous pa Numbala 2, I am fine and kicking.

  7. No# 5 Woman of Substance this is in preparation for the coming of the one world system, do not be alarmed for a country could actually be independent of it if self sufficiency is taught; “for I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” As for African nations, we can still have multimedia connections and still keep our print medias, all we need is to keep to what helped us through our darkest and brightest hours, the Lord God in our hearts and his word. Work hard and stay wise and true to moral continuity. Though not easy, when archieved it is life itself.

  8. Jamaco how are you and your family my brother? It is always welcome to see a familiar blogger on the LT. Remember Zambia needs our prayers and hard work as men, hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

  9. #7, oh yes I meant what you just said.. ZMK 1. Million point 5., awe mwee. sole maningi, nafuti…

  10. NO# 8 woman of Substance I shall, for evil prevails when good men(women) sit back and do nothing. I typed that just for you so as you know I know men and women have to work hard to change Zambia and Africa. It is pleasing to know that LT bloggers have spear headed and applied our interractions on this forum on the ground at home. The more we give the more we shall receive. Teach our people back home how to buy stock and call for real legislation in the commerce and industry sector.

  11. # 9. Pray for all of the Zedian leaders. It’s true we can not sit back and watch evil men take control. We need to find a way back to our true values. Multi media is okay it’s the journalists that are corrupt. A good journalist only reports facts and at the moment, more Z journalist have lost their direction for the love of an extra buck. Lets keep talking about issues guys, maybe we can make a change Zambia coalition.

  12. Jamaco K 150,000.00 is $28.00 US dollars, that can not even fill my gas tank. Please, that is evil. Anyway guys how come we still have people like Ron Shikapwasha? Such folk need to retire and give way to some fresh young blood with fresh ideas. The hour has come for new leadership. Why is Shikapwasha so surprise that Zambians have been turned into monkeys when he is part of the system that feeds them on peanuts.

  13. Mrs Thenjiwe Stevens you are right , it should read one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000)and not one hundred and fifty thousand(150,000) ……..LT correct and do it quickly

  14. Please thats a lie, if those people truely get paid K150,000 how much do their office orderly get?

  15. why not talk about the Chinese investors who pay our people poorly . I have never heard our government condemn these Chinese in Zambia about the poor working conditions our people are subjected to . So roonie issue a statement about government position on the chinese with poor record of service of condition.

  16. # 16 and 12. That is the right amount one hundred and Fifty thousand Kwacha not K1.5m
    Its very bad indeed. K1.5m is a salary of those that work in state owned media. it’s not ok. what would stop such a journalist from getting a brown evelop? Their stories will not be balanced because a envelope issued by the source. sori maningi Zambia.

  17. The post pays well ….. not the lie posted above . What is the minimum wage in Zambia, fake Economists are evil ….

  18. Why is Hon Ronnie Shikapwasha and Amos Chanda being economical with facts. Let them tell the nation which private Media is payinmg its staff K150,000 per month. Why wihthold the name of such a media organisation because they report on certain issues they do it openly.
    Why deny us knowing which media is involved. I guess is not the media houses that talk or write big issues and at the end of the day the poor reporter is paid nuts.

  19. Mulamu, even the office orderly does not deserve K150pin, maids now dont get less than K250pin. And even this still is a joke with the cost of living in Zambia especially.

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