Choma Town Clerk, Enock Kandingwa says there is need to harness the power of the media, to help stop malpractices in the electoral process.
Mr. Kandingwa says the media should utilize its watchdog role in protecting the interest of the general public and encourage the peaceful conduct of elections.
He was speaking in Choma today, at the opening of a four-day provincial media training workshop, organised by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) at Kozo Lodge.
Mr. Kandingwa stressed the importance of the media in following the activities of elections with interest, and to also advise members of the general public on how to vote and help them know their rights and responsibilities in the realm of politics.
He noted that, more often than not, Journalists have tended to concentrate on reporting on the personal attributes of candidates, instead of focussing on the burning issues affecting the electorate.
Mr. Kandingwa observed that, for citizens to make well informed decisions during elections, there must be a free media.
He however noted that, while the media must be free to articulate independent and diverse views, it must be reliable, truthful and trusted, bearing in mind that, the media usually served as the means through which the public learnt much out about the atmosphere of an election and the aspiring political players.
“The media therefore needs to report fairly and accurately on campaigns of all political parties involved in an election so that the electorate can make informed choices, “he said. “The media needs to provide all the people with accurate information about the whole electoral process,” he went on.
Mr. Kandingwa hoped the training being conducted by the ECZ, would help enhance media reporting on the electoral process in Zambia.
ECZ is conducting training workshops for media personnel throughout the country, ahead of the 2011 tripartite elections.
ZANIS
