- Stay Connected
Socialize
Musenge’s Call For Media To Notify Police Disturbs MISA
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia is disturbed with the calls by Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge that radio stations in the country must notify the Police before they host political party leaders on their programmes.
MISA Zambia acting Chairperson Helen Mwale says the statement is not only disappointing and retrogressive, especially from a party that benefited so much from the Zambian media to gain popularity and win the vote, but a big danger to the rights of the Zambian citizens to express themselves freely, to access vital and truthful information and to media independence.
Ms Mwale in a statement says MISA Zambia urges the Patriotic Front to teach its members that democracy is a governance system in which ideas are the only commodity that is traded through freedom of expression which can be achieved via appearance on radio, television or through meetings and other means as social media.
She states that it’s apparent that the ruling party is trying to curtail this right in order to stop dissenting views or ability of others to share their ideas and opinions as provided by the constitution which is the supreme law of the land.
Ms Mwale has urged the PF to denounce the violence and bring to an end the violent behavior of their cadres instead of them extending their intimidation to the media which every citizen is free to use to express their views.
The MISA Zambia acting Chairperson states that rights to freedom of expression and access to information in addition to the media’s ability to operate independently are vital in any society especially a democratic one as they protect other human rights such as the right to access clean water, better health facilities while they prevent bad governance and underdevelopment.
Posted by Editor
on April 17, 2014. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
Surprised Zambian
April 17, 2014 at 9:42 am
I thought that to be a journalist, one attains kind of high level of understanding, to notify is not the same as seeking a permit, one notifies them for their on safety. Yes Parties must teach their cadres to respect other people’s views, but the Police must protect every citizen when life comes under threat by ignorant and dirty minded cadres.
CHIPIMO
April 17, 2014 at 3:58 pm
Thats right,opposition party should also notify Police so that they can be protected.
thomas acqinas
April 17, 2014 at 10:40 am
yes intimidation is bad but here the bond of quotation is that the media should be notifying the police nothing wrong with that after all it is for the good of that media in case of anything.
I JUST WANT TO SECOND @thomas acqinas' sencible comment!
April 17, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Remarkable comment comrade!
kafwimbi
April 17, 2014 at 8:52 pm
How many times did sata notify policy during the run up to previous election when appearing on any radio station.I hope we are not drifting back to UINP era where KK was worshiped as a small god .kumulu lesa panshi kaunda .please allow people to express their views freely .you were always on radio who hindered you .Soon even those going to church on sunday will be required to have police permit.Twachula sana .
classic
April 18, 2014 at 9:59 am