HH statement on harassment of ZNBC staff by PF officials
26th November 2014
I am greatly saddened to see how the PF Government is manhandling our national Public broadcaster ZNBC and abusing its power in order to try to influence the upcoming election.
We need to stand together in opposition to the use of intimidation of our nation’s broadcasters and attempts to control media content through ‘guidance’ coming directly from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The Zambian people have the right to know what the candidates for election are doing and promising in their campaigns. I call on the PF Government to let the people see the truth of what is happening so they can make up their own minds in January.
The harassment of news staff who were just doing their job is objectionable,archaic. We are a peaceful nation. Violence,threats and intimidation are not Zambian. The individuals involved should remember that and should be disciplined.
Furthermore, I have been shocked and deeply concerned by the contents of a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting which states that in the future journalists and broadcasters are required seek guidance from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on such matters.
The idea that a Government official should charge himself or herself with providing guidance on the coverage of elections issues is unacceptable. We are a democratic nation, not an authoritarian regime.This is censorship. We must have a free media and the Zambian people have a right to know what their politicians are up to.UPND is committed to Access to information .
I would like also to add my voice to those who are standing up to Government and remind them that ZNBC does not belong to them, it belongs to the Zambian people.
I call on Government to stand back and stop interfering with media coverage, but to leave journalists and broadcasters to make their own educated decisions about what should or should not be covered.
Finally, I call on media and civil society to continue to stand firm and not let these abuses of power go unnoticed.
Zambia deserves a fresh start with real change.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President
This massage in clearly understood.Kambwili should reduce & humble himself before we the people of the nation humbles him. ZNBC doesn’t belongs pf but to the public. That’s why this nation requires to be governed by EDUCATED people not ruffians.
Much as i dont condon Kambwili,Kasolo and Masebo’s behaviour,it is unfair for hh to blame those shameful acts on THE PF GOVERNMENT.This statement should have said PF officials NOT government,Kasolo and Maseo are NOT government officials hence my point of UNFAIRNESS in this statement.
Kambwili is both Pf and government. What dya say to that?
Zamcab stop being dull, isn’t Kambwili a government official. The levels of dullness amongst you PF stooges is shocking.
If PF was not government, do you Kasolo and Masebo would have dared to storm ZNBC? Kwena Fiso tule tala twa ganizako pangono chabe!!! Let us not be blind supporters of nonsense but analyse things properly!!
ZamCAB don’t portray your ignorance and dismal analysis here. Isn’t Kasolololol whatever and Kambwimbwi part of Government?
Kasolo is permanent secretary, who is a civil servant. A government official.
HH first work on your ZAMBIAN WATCH DOG. To me ZWD is our future ZNBC when HH goes to state house.
Being dull is truly a curse, what has ZWD , an online publication owned by an individual got to do with ZNBC, a public institution financed from our taxes
Try to think we cipuba we!
only a Tonga shud lead UPND. ZWD is for UPND and Tongas. change these things
@ Monde, and only a Bemba can be PS Ministry of Information I suppose?
ONLY PRIMITIVE PEOPLE WILL VOTE FOR HH. HE IS CONDEMINIG ZNBC WHAT ABT ZWD WHICH PURELY SUPPORT.HH. ONLY A TONGA WILL LEAD UPND. ZAMBIAN PEOPLE ANALYSE HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISES THATS WEN U WILL KNOW THAT HH IS A DREAMER. VIVA PF
so be it my dear.
HH please do not over promise. Sitifuna ma 90 days promises nonsense futi. Let us be realistic. No street vendors. Why do we have street if you are going to provide employment? Let’s grow up
YOU ARE COMPARING PF WITH AN INDIVIDUAL.
SINGLE OUT SOMEONE FROM YOUR PF. HOW DULL.
Are you too dull to tell the difference between a public institution like ZNBC and private on line media?Yaba!
@ MUSADABWE
What is your definition of “primitive people”?
But before you post answer, please look in the mirror.
Msadabwe
Thank you for inviting us to analyze Hakainde’s election promises. A rhetorical question that you are not obliged to answer is: have you taken time to reflect on the promises which Mr. Michael Sata and his PF made to the Zambian people in 2011 and which ones of those have ever been honored? From constitution making, Barotse Agreement, to printing ballot papers in Zambia, reduced commodity prices, from more money in your pockets, nothing came to pass! I rest my case and no further questions!
@monde
I HAVE FOLLOWED YOUR BLOGS BRO.YOU REALLY HATE HH,AND IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS HATRED IS MORE TRIBAL THAT THE ARGUMENT THAT ONLY A TONGA CAN LEAD HH. THESE WORDS WERE NOT SAID BY HH BUT SOME OVERZEALOUS CADRE AT THE FUNERAL OF MAZOKA. I KNOW MOST YOU PF CADRES DON’T KNOW HOW TO READ BUT IN CASE YOU CAN READ,PLEASE GET A COPY OF UPND MANIFESTO AND READ ON THE SELECTION OF UPND PRESIDENT,,THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ONLY A TONGA CAN LEAD UPND”
Ati HH IS A DREAMER,IS IT WRONG TO DREAM A PERSON WHO HAVE NO DREAMS CANNOT TAKE US ANYWHERE BECAUSE SUCH A LEADER IS EMPTY.WE NEED LEADERS WHO DREAM BIG AND AIM AT ACHIEVING THEIR DREAMS
Indeed how can you achieve anything unless you have a dream. Dream high, aim high in life so you can achieve the unachievable.
A LEADER WITHOUT DREAMS IS EMPTY AND DEAD
Crocodile tears………….lost in the wilderness.Caught napping…Go for Campaigns.Copperbelt,Muchinga,Eastern ,Luapula,Northern and Central Provinces are waiting.You are the most covered from the opposition side and yet you are still crying.What are you waiting for?Days are gone………..soon we shall have rains.Who is going to attend your much anticipated rallies.
Note;We want campaigns in these areas like Kabulonga,Foxdale,Chudleigh,Chelstone,Sunningdale, Northmead,Olympia,Ibex Hillect.Do not come to Matero,Chipata Compound,Misisi,John Laing,John Howard,Chawama,Kanyama,Chibolya,Lilanda,George,Kuku,Garden,Chaisa….we are fedup on shake shake opaque and K50.00 Do not abuse us.Endani Kumayandi kwanu.If you tell me where KAAN’AUN’AUNAU is find .Then i can vote for you.Politicians…
@TK you a big disappointment. Do people in mayadi need rallies when they are better informed. The people who need Food and employment are in compounds like misisi. Jesus did not come for good people but the sinners. So HH is wise to the poor who need help and are being denied jobs by the rich despite having qualification.
Dreams guide the ideals of the living without dreams you are like a corps or coffin! Kambwili, Masebo and other pf too numerous to mention are ruffians! As UPND instals a civilised government after 20 Jan such thugs will be dimmed.