THE Patriotic Front (PF) on the Copperbelt says it is disappointed that some media bodies have allegedly abandoned their role of promoting media freedom to champion political interests.
The party has called on donors to re-consider their financial support to such organisations, saying they are overstepping their bounds.
Provincial youth chairperson Kabwe Chanda says Zambians are concerned that the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia has remained mute on the assault of Muvi Televison cameraperson Lloyd Kapusa.
“Donors are funding a façade for a political establishment, which is fighting the PF government to achieve aims that have nothing to do with media freedom,” Mr Chanda said, “there is no doubt that in its current form and leadership, MISA Zambia lacks the necessary credibility to support meaningful media reforms in this country.”
But MISA vice-chairperson Nalumino Nalumino has dismissed the claims, saying the institution shall not play politics with anyone.
Mr Kapusa was assaulted by William Banda, the special advisor to the United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr Kapusa, however, opted to settle the matter outside court after Mr Banda offered to pay him K30 million even though the case, which is now against the state, has not been withdrawn from court.
Mr Chanda said unlike in Mr Kapusa’s case, MISA was quick to condemn police when UPND cadres were tear-gassed in Lusaka.
“MISA Zambia’s anti-PF stance is very well documented. Prior to last year’s elections, this organisation chose to ignore the PF’s concerns about the abuse of the public media by the MMD, but when PF barred ZNBC from covering its national conference because of such concerns, MISA Zambia was quick to condemn the PF,” Mr Chanda said.
He said MISA Zambia has not publicly commented on the alleged defamatory documentaries by Chanda Chimba III against President Sata, and The Post managing editor Fred M’membe.
He said donors must reconsider funding MISA Zambia because they are not carrying out their mandate objectively.
Mr Chanda said donors such as Irish Aid must take interest in knowing how their funds are used at MISA Zambia and reconsider their partnership with the organisation.
“It is public knowledge that for a long time, several annual audit reports have revealed serious financial mismanagement in MISA Zambia. I challenge MISA Zambia to come out clean on these concerns,” he said.
But Mr Nalumino said in an interview yesterday that MISA had issued a statement on the assault of Mr Kapusa which was widely circulated and copied to the regional office.
He said it is not true that MISA has remained mute on the issue, saying it cannot comment further because the matter is in court.
On calls for donors to reconsider funding MISA, Mr Nalumino said the institution is accountable and transparent in its dealings and that donors are privy to the details of its expenditure.
“MISA is an organisation of integrity…We are accountable for the funding the organisation receives,” Mr Nalumino said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
The problem with PF cadres is that they have very short memories. The PF is hell bent on curtailing media freedom forgetting that it is a free media that propelled them to power. Look at UNZA Radio, they have reduced their coverage radius without any reason and notification. Anyway, serves you fanatical supporters right, we told you about the calibre of people you were so excited about.
“Provincial youth chairperson Kabwe Chanda says Zambians are concerned “, which Zambians exactly? Has he consulted all Zambians? Who made him spokes person for the whole country? In some situations, its better to just speak for yourself in politics of the stomach. Do not sally the whole nation with the opinion of a few
MISA is antoothless bulldog. Early this year when another Muvi TV personality had a domestic dispute with her husband, Mwanangombe Ngenda of COMESA, and was withdrawn from Court, the sama Nalumino Nalumino issued a stinging attack on Mutolo. The problem we have in this country is that we have people like Nalumino who head important institutions but they lack professionalism.
Unza radio is about to be closed and misa zambia is very mute.
walasa!
Shout Up PF is busy abusing media and political opponents and we want donors to cut budgetary support to the national. Nepotism is order of the day in government. MISA should come out and dis-announce this abuse
Sata has lost popularity and has no vision
He never had a vision. He can crack a good joke though. ha ha
Dont ever say Zambians!! Which Zambians are you talking about?If your family agrees to what you say,it doesnt meanZambians have agreed or have said.
A responsible government should refrain from requesting donors to sponsor or fund an NGO
Surely there is a better way of asking the NGO, or remind them of their responisbilities.
Stooping this low brings their own integrity as a government party and overseer of losing the plot
This is a scandal at best
Pretty regrettable if you ask me
Thanks
I meant NOT to sponsor
Saying that I think the majority of people would rather have this government that the out of sorts MMD or the disorganised UPND
Thanks
true
Who? where i live, in Kwa Kanyama, people have stopped chanting pa bwato. they are disillusioned. Speak for yourself baba
Iwe Mushota, what’s happened to you? I’m not used to reading any meaningful comments from you. You’re certainly making me nervous. Have you been diagnosed with an incurable disease or you’ve had visits from the ghosts of xmas, past present and future? Awe, get back to your silly old ways, we. We can’t have a sensible ‘Mushota’ blogging here.
nice. i agree totally.
Lady Blue … great sense of humor mweeee!
MISA has been mute on
the following
as well-
A priest – Father Viateur Banyangandora -, three citizens, the Daily Nation, Unza, Radio, Hone Fm, online media, media lecturer Clayson Hamasaka and his wife Pamela, six Times of Zambia journalists, three Zambia Daily Mail journalist, Hichilema and some of his UPND cadres already victims of a brutal regime. This is but a tip of the ice-berg.
Including me, imagine I still earn my old salary.
Mushota, you are one of the useless bloggers bcause gn whatever you say i always see vommits.
IF YOU WANT DONORS TO STOP FUNDING MISA ZAMBIA THEN WE WILL STOP PAYING TAX TO PF GOVERNMENT. THEY ARE BECOMING FAT ESPECIALLY THIS NEW INJUSTICE MINISTER. LET BAROTSELAND GET INDEPENDENCE AND MY AREA IN CHITIMUKULU WILL ALSO BE INDEPENDENT. PF WILL JUST REMAIN IN KABWATA IF ITS NOT UNDER BAROTSELAND. ABA ABAICE BA KUCHIPATA NABENA I WILL GIVE THEM MPEZENI AREA ALTHOUGH THEIR CHIEF IS NOT STABLE. HE WAS MMD NOW HE IS PF. FWAKA NOBWALWA NISOTAMBE KUMFUMU MPEZENI. ABATONGA IMWE MULI KU BAROTSELAND MUKESHIBA IFYAKUSOVANA MWEBENE MWALISHIBANA MUKUTUMPA KWENU. BAKAONDE IMWE MULI KULI CHITIMUKULU IMFUMU YA BABEMBA. KAZEMBE UNDER CHITIMUKULU. NO GOVERNOR BASHETANI BATULILA PA MITWE SANA. ATASEH!!!!!!!!
Politician asking donors to stop assisting – —look at them —
greed chaps —
wanting people of zambia as if they dont have 5 sense, shut up iwe PF u are busy asking well wishers to stop “, to re-consider their financial support to such organisations”‘ useless & senseless – stop if u stop UNZA we will ask others also to stop
supportg
u as well, learn to consult what u advise & speak to people of Zambia.
Mushota mwaiche you seem to be talking sense these days,what happened? Did you open you legs for Mutembo work?
Sata has lost popularity and has no vision period
Ask me. I work at MISA. Two board members have not retired imprest after going on a trip to ISOKA. This info is true!!!!
Ba Mushota..at last sense is coming out of you….thank God..
Mushota your posts were mature today, it is really from one who has been to school. This will reduce the insultsv on you.
Chicken brains will always be what they are. Don’t expect too much civility from PF. The earlier we accept to live with what we have, the better since we brought it on ourselves. Tinazigong’a, period!
Please leave MISA alone. PF is sinning every day. From teargassing Journalists, Firing SADC Journalists at the Times, appointing PF Cadres at Public Media Houses, threatening Private Radio Stations, failing to pursue media reforms, especially the Freedom of Information. The cock has really come home to roost. Mmembe and Malupenga are really disgraced, they cheated donors that they were for media freedom, but now they have made 360 degree U-turn, which does not surprise us, since their interests are different – which is to serve their own pockets.
MISA WAS DESTROYED BY FANWELL CHEMBO, A HARDCORE TRIBALIST WHO EMPLOYED MOSTLY TONGAS OR THOSE FROM SDA CHURCH. WHEN HE RETIRED HE MADE SURE THAT HE PARTICIPATED IN EMPLOYING SUBSEQUENT DIRECTORS, ALL OF WHO ARE EITHER SDA OR TONGA!!!!
Ba PF mwamona efyo mwaba imwe. You used to attack MMD press freedom nomba imwe finshi yamba B PumbaFu.
Ba PF mwamona efyo mwaba imwe. You used to attack MMD on press freedom nomba imwe finshi yamba ba PumbaFu.
the PF government will be sraped out in 2016