The Media Institute Southern Africa (MISA-Zambia) has refuted allegations that it is a partisan organisation.
MISA Zambia acting Chairperson, Nalumino Nalumino says his organisation will continue being non-partisan and will always be unbiased.
Mr. Nalumino told journalists in Lusaka today that allegations by Patriotic Front youths that the organisation was a political appendage and that it was embroiled in financial irregularities were unfounded.
He explained that MISA Zambia is a member driven regional organisation that has a strong governance structure which starts with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that approves Audited Financial Reports and appoints auditors.
Mr. Nalumino further explained that the organisation has a National Governing Council (NGC), elected at the AGM every three years, which approves annual plans and budgets during quarterly meetings.
He said in line with good corporate governance practices, the NGC provides guidance and checks and balances to the organisation.
Mr. Nalumino said MISA Zambia found the allegations levelled against it as malicious and unfounded alleging that there was a well orchestrated campaign to discredit the image of the organisation.
He noted that the organisation has scored a number of achievements such as the enactment of the 2010 Independent Broadcasting Authority and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Acts and the recently launched Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC).
Mr. Nalumino further noted that MISA Zambia has contributed to the growth of Community Radio Stations through grants, equipment acquisition and capacity building among others.
He said the organisation is not amused by the accusations because it receives such complaints from all political players which showed that it is a credible institution that is non-partisan.
Mr. Nalumino has since appealed to the government to create an enabling environment for the media to operate freely.
A few weeks ago, some Patriotic Front youths issued a statement that MISA Zambia did not condemn UPND’s William Banda after he ‘strangled’ a Muvi TV Journalist and a few days ago the UPND also complained about their silence over the harassment of Post Photo Journalist, Salim Dawood by PF cadres at an aborted rally in Kanyama.
ZANIS
:d
MISA Zambia have themselves to blame, because during the run up to elections a year ago, its members supported PF and these individuals have since been given jobs in PF govt. its not strange that the same individual now on other side feel what they were doing is what the other members who have ramained are doing. its important for MISA to have a code of conduct for its members so that individual members should not use the organisation to champion their partisan interests.
PF is useless.
no smoke without fire
True, concerned citizen. And therefore the PF should be the last ones to complain about MISA after benefitting in the past elections. Now it seems some members of MISA are looking at the opposition as the saviour, that is why the PF is worried. what goes around comes around. chili pamunzako lelo, mailo chilipali iwe.