Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia National Director Hewitt Chizyuka has condemned the intimidation, beating and unnecessary arrests of media personnel in the nation.
Mr.Chizyuka further condemned threats to close down some media houses that offer a platform for critical voices.
He said the ambiguous and restrictive laws such as those dealing with pornography need to be reviewed and clearly defined.
He was speaking yesterday at a certificate presentation ceremony to members of the board and management of SKY FM Radio at the end of a four day management training workshop in radio and good governance, organized by MISA Zambia and held at Southern Comfort Motel in Monze.
Mr.Chizyuka expressed worry that the operating environment for the media was still harsh in the country with increasing cases of harassment and violence against Journalists, adding that the situation may get worse.
He called on government to openly condemn the harassment of the media and demonstrate commitment to that effect by dropping unfair charges and court cases against media personnel.
“We realize that a vibrant, free and diverse media is at the very fabric of democratic governance and we stand to continue promoting media freedom,” he said.
Mr. Chizyuka urged all political parties to keep their cadres from harassing media personnel.
He also expressed concern about the non implementation of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Act and Zambia National Broadcasting Amendment Act.
Mr.Chizyuka said the two laws would help improve the independence and impartiality of broadcasting in the country.
“There is no justifiable reason why these two acts cannot be operationalized, because we all know that a free and more independent public broadcaster is guaranteed under the ZNBC Amendment Act while the IBA Act would enhance the independence of the entire broadcasting sector,” he said.
Mr.Chizyuka questioned why ZNBC continued being under the control of government when the law stated otherwise and why the Ministry of Information continued controlling the broadcasting industry when the IBA Act stated that an independent body should do so.
He said these were serious questions that need urgent answers if Zambia is to claim to be among the democratic and civilized nations that respect the rule of law.
ZANIS
Which personels exackly have been intimidated and imprisoned and for what reasons?
Where were you all this time mr chizyuka to start complaining at the last minute, where you wating for the workshop to air your grievance, it won’t help man, we need A BIGGER VOICE, Continue sleeping.
Well spoken sir,
Nambala 1 enga Chansa Kabwela? I also condemn the intimidation
Abash remote control leadership!
The law always gets twisted in Zambia. Chansa Kabwela is being prosecuted for airing the plight of pregnant women and yet a police officer is arrested for detaining an errant pregnant woman.
#3, I don’t think Chansa Kabwela has been imprisoned. Our country allows every one to have their day in court no matter how grave their offence. As for Chansa she will defend herself and perhaps be acquitted. In the UK they jail journalists when they commit offences in the course of their work such as the case of the News of the World newspaper.
I saw those pictures,they were really disturbing
Mr. Chizyuka has spoken well. The issue of press freedom that is essential for a democracy to work is being curtailed under the dictatorship of RB. Why do we make laws and then give unimaginable powers to the president and his cohort to break these same laws? Our system is defective to say the least. Let the media be independent. I don’t want my tax money supporting RB’s propaganda. No more government controlled media!