Maravi

Daka advises media to provide checks and balances on govt

Daka advises media to provide checks and balances on govt
By Florence Bupe
Saturday September 20, 2008 [04:00]

THE media should always endeavour to provide the necessary checks and balances on government, science minister Peter Daka has said. Officiating at the first Zambia Institute of Mass Communication Educational trust (ZAMCOM) graduation ceremony yesterday, Daka urged the media to ensure that the government was accountable to the people through ethical and factual reporting.

"The need for quality training cannot be overemphasised. Professionalism in the media fraternity is critical in the attainment of Millennium Development Goals, as well as in ensuring that there are checks and balances in the governance system," he said.

Daka advised the graduating students to practice issue-based journalism once absorbed into the media industry.

"As you go out in the field, ensure that you report objectively in order to help build the nation. Journalism is a powerful tool that can either build or destroy, and I urge you to use your skills positively by reporting on issues that affect the nation," Daka said. "This should move hand in hand with the values of love and peace. Guard against being used by people for ill-motives."

And Daka has reiterated the need for training institutions to be self-sustaining and profitable.

"Institutions should aim to be self-sustaining, because there will come a point when government will not give any grants.

We will continue supporting training institutions, but there is increased need for entrepreneurship and, ultimately, profitability," he said.
Daka further encouraged the graduates to be enterprising as a way of addressing high unemployment levels.

And ZAMCOM vice board chairperson Flavia Chishimba disclosed that the institution would soon launch an educational television station to upgrade the quality of its graduates.

She said the institution had already obtained a licence for the project, and was awaiting the purchase of a transmitter.

A total of 68 students graduated in media related studies, from 2005 to 2007.
Post Newspapers sports reporter Joseph Mwenda scooped the Muvi Television award for best student in Certificate in Journalism and Public Relations, 2005 programme.

Labels: MEDIA, PETER DAKA, ZAMCOM

posted by MrK @ 4:38 AM