SPEAKER of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has explained that only public media and one from the private sector were allowed to cover the ceremonial opening of Parliament on Friday, September 19 by President Michael Sata because of security concerns.
In his ruling to a point of order by Mazabuka Central UPND MP Gary Nkombo raised on September 23, 2014, Dr Matibini said the private media were also barred from covering the official opening of Parliament because the chambers could not accommodate all the 129 journalists that were accredited to cover the event from various media organisations.
Mr Nkombo had raised the point of order in relation to statements by Vice-President Guy Scott and Information Minister Joseph Katema regarding restrictions on some media organisations on the ceremonial opening of Parliament by President Michael Sata on September 19, 2014.
Mr Nkombo told the House that there were contradictions and inconsistencies between Dr Scott and Dr Katema on whose responsibility it was to bar the private media from covering the official opening of Parliament.
Dr Katema at a Press briefing had put the blame on the National Assembly for barring the private media, saying that it was the responsibility of the National Assembly to allocate seats to invited guests to the official opening.
Dr Scott on the other hand took responsibility on behalf of the Government over the barring of the private media and apologised.
But Dr Matibini said since the House was sitting as Parliament, which meant that the President and the Judiciary were present in the House, that state of affairs inevitably raised grave security concerns.
He said since the ceremonial opening of Parliament was also a State event, the approval of admission of members of the public and the Press in the assembly chamber was undertaken in close collaboration with State House and State security agencies.
Dr Matibini said the chamber could not accommodate all the 129 media practitioners who were accredited to cover the event.
“For this reason, and in the interest of State security, the coverage of the event was restricted to Government media and one private media,” he said.
Dr Matibini said the vast majority of the media organisations accredited were permitted to cover the event from outside the chamber, which was the presidential dais, the walkway leading into the assembly chamber and the media centre.
He said the event was also broadcast live on ZNBC television and Parliament Radio.
Later in response to another point of order raised by Mr Nkombo on the exhaustive and conclusive debate on the issue of the Constitution and Chief Chitimukulu’s installation, Dr Matibini said as far as procedures of the House were concerned, the two issues had been discussed at length by the House and “disposed off.”
Mr Nkombo, using Standing Orders 28 of the rules of the House wanted to compel the House to debate the issues of the Constitution and the Paramount Chief Chitimukulu exhaustively.
Who’s security are you referring to Mr Speaker? and you only allowed one private media institution, the same media institution which is busy recording people in there houses or offices.
Don’t you think the Post is more of a danger than the others (Like Muvi TV) that you restricted or bundled in the so called media center?
@ Gundown, Good question, may I add and ask; indeed who was at risk? Would not screening them had sufficed? If you do not have a plausible reason to offer Hon S, please remain mute otherwise cover-up explanations may raise more questions. The private media house allowed to cover the event recently published an unauthorised Top Secret document meant for the eyes of the President only, yet it was the one not vetted. This is a wonder!
MNB (Matibini, Nchito & Banda) law firm! Membe, Nchito and Matibini rock the same boat hence the Post will be welcome whereever. You think Matibini got the job of Speaker on merit? Think again!
It was televised live on TV ,there was no need for kachepas near the president.
Is this Sata shaking hands with the speaker? No wonder the private media was not allowed in.We know the reason.
Indeed, is that Sata in the picture or Lingweshi, the Mangango MP? Seriously am confused.
One this I love abt my government is that it very honest! No lies and bitting about the bush
I don’t know what makes Matibini and state officials think Zambians are fools or kids.
Point well taken. But what about the previous opening sessions? How come the private media was allowed indiscriminately? Shouldn’t he have shed more light on the security concerns that are there now and were absent the past two years during opening of parliament?
My thoughts exactly. These guys are not pro-poor for uplifting the poor. They are pro-poor for an ignorant majority vote. Who in their right educated head would buy this nonsense?
In my humble opinion, I strongly feel you should have kept your mouth shut, Mr. Speaker Sir.
Are we stupid or is it our so called leaders. It’s got to be one of the other because some statements. Awe sure..
Was this the first time Zambia was having such an event? What a lame excuse ! Where are the likes of Robson Nabulyato, Fwanyanga Mulikita to guide this nation on matters like this one? Wherever they are , the nation misses their wise counsel. We are being misled.
Gone are the days when zambia use to have good speakers this one awe sure.
Whenever Speaker Matibini opens his mouth he proves to the nation that he’s truly an unashamed !diot.
The National Assembly was right to bar the private media from covering the official opening of Parliament because they have never been serious. Instead of reporting the issues that are being discussed in the official opening, the private media had only one agenda, to take pictures of the President and expose him to ridicule. These private media organizations have been turned into paparazzi carrying modified cameras to take pictures of officials not for the purpose of education but gossip. Princess Diana died at the hands of the paparazzi, therefore in the same way the Zambian private media are danger to national security. In fact they should be closed down in the interest of national security. They have nothing to report about. They are mercenaries and carriers of lies and gossip.
JOJO
Your comment is a wast of space as long as it is.
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What a nonsensical trivialization of the freedom of expression by Mr. Chowderhead!
Matibini’s inclination to the PF have steadily eroded his reputation. I had great admirations of how he discussed the constitutional issues and to be honest this excuse coming from him is laughable.
Matibini is just a party cadre despite his education.
Im of the opinion that if one has nothing better to say, its best to keep quiet, & People may assume you are an *****, but cannot confirm from Your silence.
To open Your mouth, & Spew Childish cr*p, will surely confirm Your Idiocy, so Give it a rest Speaker, we are NOT daft, You Belly Cadre!!