The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) says any threats by government to withdraw a license of a radio station on account of its political inclinations are a violation of constitutional freedoms.
LAZ is of the view that Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Chishimba Kambwili’s recent threat to withdraw a named radio station’s license on suspicions that it is allegedly being influenced by opposition UPND President Hakainde Hichilema amounted to violation of the radio station’s freedoms of expression and media freedoms which are guaranteed in the Zambian constitution.
LAZ President George Chisanga says Mr. Kambwili’s threats therefore have no place in a multiparty democracy where freedoms of exchange of ideas are recognized, promoted and protected.
Mr. Chisanga has told Qfm News in a statement that this is especially when such threats come from government officials that are on oath to uphold the Zambian constitution.
He has warned that if divergent views and opinions cannot be respected and tolerated, the country risks of being transformed in an autocratic state where the rule of law and respect for human rights will constantly be under threat.
Mr. Chisanga has thus called upon Mr. Kambwili to respect and protect the freedoms of expression and association by retracting his threats to the named radio station.
He has asked Mr. Kambwili to further apologize to the nation for issuing the unfortunate threats.
Mr. Chisanga states that LAZ will always rise to the defense of the rule of law and human rights as contemplated by the Zambian constitution.
Mr Chisanga, it would be good for you and your fellow lawyers to take to the streets to sow your displeasure to the many abuses in this PF govt. enough is enough.
We need informed ministers not these fellows na toma industrial trade qualifications…nsoni mu chalo zoona…
@ LAZ . CK statement was very clear. It was a conditional statement, “if it is established that the opposition political party had a hand in it”
Political parties wether PF, UPND, should not influence any programming of the media house, unless where the party owns the media house. So LAZ should also look at on the other side of the coin, what if it is true that that the opposition party had a hand .
liars association of zambia LOL!
@Grand: ZNBC, Zambia Dialy mail are funded by the Zambian taxpayers but being used as tools of propanganda by the PF. In Zambia one can only get truthful news from the private media. Where is fairness in CK’s threat if PF are using the Public media for their propaganda?
How long shall they rape our mother zambia, while we stand aside and look.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery.
Kambwili looks like a baboon,in any democratic country private media houses lean towards any political party which champions the same cause;like fox channel it believes in conservative ,republican party and msnbc leans towards liberal ideals which most of democrats associate with.only public media should be non ideological as they areowned.
Uhhmm, LAZ comment seems misplaced again. Was it necessary? If so, we expect LAZ to comment on all undesirable statements by all our politicians, not just a selected few and rather harmless political noises. Is it true that some officials are politically compromised? Next mukomfwa ati ni ba candidate mu 2016 ka!
liars association of zambia. LOL!
Mature or senile 1mbecile?
Thank you LAZ but it is not only unconstitutional Kambwili’s threat to withdraw Radio Phoenix’s License is CRIMINAL so he must be charged.
Kambwlli must fall
Kambwili is so undemocratic I cant believe he is a cabinet minister.Kambwilim you do not wn Zambia.Learn from previous ministers who had attitude like yours are all failures in life.One day the president will fire you for embarassing him.
I AGREE QITH UMWINA ZED! I THINK THE BIGGEST BLUNDER LUNGU MADE IN APPOINTMENT OF CABINET WAS CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI AT INFORMATION. AS MUCH AS I DISAGREE WITH HIS POSITIONS EMMANUEL MWAMBA WOULD HAVE DONE BETTER IN THIS POSITION. EXCEPT OF COURSE LUNGU IS AFRAID OF EMMANUEL MWAMBA HAVING THE SPOTLIGHT. WHY?