GOVERNMENT has assured the nation that it will not interfere in the operations of the media as long as they adhere to the laid down rules and regulations.
Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha said election time is very crucial for the media in the country and that it is important that they adhere to rules and regulations, and stick to media ethics.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said in Lusaka yesterday Government respects the role the media plays in society because people would not know about the development that is taking place in the country.
He said that it is easy for the media to be swayed from their role of informing, educatingand entertaining the nation and instead be used as tools of political propaganda, which is not good.
Gen Shikapwasha said Government will not hesitate to clamp down on media institutions that will be seen as tools for perpetrating anarchy in the nation.
[pullquote]“We have a very free press in the region. Do you think The Post would be operating now if it were in other countries?” Gen Shikapwasha asked.[/pullquote]
He said Zambia has a very free media, and that they should not take freedom for granted by doing wrong things.
“We have a very free press in the region. Do you think The Post would be operating now if it were in other countries?” Gen Shikapwasha asked.
He said the media should be a tool for development and not to be used to perpetrate anarchy in the country.
He said the media should use democracy to enhance economic growth and disseminate developmental messages to the nation.
“We should be seen to be moving forward as a nation, and not to kill the very democracy which allows us to operate freely,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
He said the public, including political parties, are free to use the public media and that Government will not interfere in the operations of the media in the country.
Gen Shikapwasha said Government has been mature in the manner in which it has been handling the media in the country, which should be appreciated.
“Any political party is free to use the public media, and if the PF feel that The Post is the best media to air their views, who are we to stop them?” Gen Shikapwasha said.
He said people should use any media that they feel will best serve their interests.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Scumbag of a reverend. This man is a traitor kamo heeeee
I almost read “Thief Government Spokesperson”… lol
Iwe chi Lady Gaga, Mulongoti was the traitor, waba shani?? Ukuchinja chinja kwati ni ba Sata!!! lol.. Anyway I 4giv u. Viva Ronnie!!
Lusaka Times ichindikeni… “w.aba” as in “w.aba shani?” is not an insult