The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) has reacted sharply over the opposition MMD’s claims that the party was not adequately covered in Katuba constituency.
ZNBC Director of News and Current Affairs, Kenneth Maduma says his organization gave a fair coverage to all aspiring candidates in the just ended filing in nomination exercise in Katuba held on Monday this week.
Mr Maduma says ZNBC is impartial and matters of public interest are given maximum coverage in line with its mandate enshrined in Chapter 154 of the laws of Zambia.
Mr Maduma was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.
He said ZNBC would continue to provide coverage to all political parties during and beyond the campaigns for people to judge it.
Mr Maduma said all candidates and their political parties were covered in Katuba and it is very unfortunate that the MMD could accuse the public broadcaster in such a malicious manner instead of verifying facts with ZNBC.
He added that ZNBC has made tremendous strides in transforming the editorial policy and therefore calls upon stakeholders to feel free and engage it in matters of public interest and also respect the public broadcaster.
MMD Deputy National Secretary, Chembe Nyangu said in a letter written to ZNBC Director General, Chibamba Kanyama that it’s candidate Cecil Holmes was not covered during the nomination exercise in Katuba constituency.
Mr Nyangu urged ZNBC to provide equal coverage so that the people could make informed decisions ahead of February 25th, 2014 parliamentary by-election.
On Monday, seven aspiring candidates successfully filed in their nomination papers held at Muwanjuni Primary School in Chibombo district in Central province.
The seven political parties that participated in the filing of nominations were the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) which fielded Moses Chilando, the United Party for National Development (UPND) Jonas Shakafuswa, Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) Patricia Mwashingwele and Joseph Mushalika of the National Restoration Party (NAREP).
Others were the National Revolutionary Party (NRP) with their candidate, Shakespear Mwakamui, United National Independence Party (UNIP) with candidate Allan Malawo and the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) which fielded Cecil Holmes.
The seat fell vacant following the death of the then MMD Member of Parliament, Dr Patrick Chikusu.
ZANIS
Despite that media biasness is wrong, MMD is now tasting its own medicine. How this chi Chembe became so stupid with chi RB when they were in power. With MMD none of the opposition candidates could have been covered. This should be a lesson for Pali Fifwaka govt also, that they will never be in power for good. IMAGINE HOW winter was crying like a child about media biasness and police brutality, now they are doing the same hundredfold.
The man had a joke of a voice aba ata
Naleseka
Ninshina chi Sata bachisansa teargas, those where day and the id1ots are doing the same and the movement for mad dogs are now crying, indeed insansa kuchinjana! Next to enjoy is Hamusankwa Hasuntwe!
MMD should not even complain because they were a very ARROGANT Government. We made a mistake as Zambians to usher in PF instead of UPND!
Keneth Maduma from Kambuzuma, you must just agree that whoever takes over, ZNBC becomes his. There is no one who can deny that fact.
What can you expect from Maduma the PF cadre.He was on the street and part time job as news caster at Radio Phoenix.Maduma should just admit,the snap clip shown at nomination did not show the crowd of MMD supporters,this was deliberate.Any way PF go in 2016,Maduma Go also.
Do people retire in Zambia?
There is nowhere people retire.
Mmd,mulifinangwa even these that are condemning pf are useless.Upnd u must shut yo dirt mouths for u were too benificiaries of mmd’s media biasness. leave znbc alone,u ungrateful pipo.
Have you already been discharged from Chainama? Please continue taking your medicines!
ZNBC can do much better than they are doing now. though I must admit there is a slight improve in the coverage of opposition under PF, more can be done….
Bamudala ba Kenneth do not make me lose the little respect I have for you..
that ugly old man should e honest enough..atase..Kenneth maduma form the 60s..get lost!!
What a smile on Maduma’s face? Genuine? Or bootlickers’ smile?
Of course you would smile if you met the man who gave you a job!