Sata apologises to The Post
Sata apologises to The PostBy Chibaula Silwamba
Tuesday September 09, 2008 [04:00]
Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata yesterday apologised to The Post for the unfounded accusation he made against the newspaper a fortnight ago. Confirming the apology yesterday, Post managing editor Amos Malupenga said the newspaper has accepted the apology because forgiveness is part of life.
“Mr. Sata phoned today (yesterday) explaining that we perhaps just overreacted to his statement because we fully know that him and The Post have been very good friends for a long time,” Malupenga said.
“Mr. Sata further explained that the statement he made to our reporter Lambwe Kachali was made out of anger or emotion because he was very upset when Mrs Maureen Mwanawasa chased him from Chipata.
He said if his statement to our reporter was disturbing to us or painted a wrong picture, then he was sorry and apologised because it has never been his intention to create enemies. Mr Sata also said that whenever misunderstandings or differences occur, he has always believed in the spirit of reconciliation.”
Malupenga said The Post took Sata's words and accepted to normalise its relationship with him.
“I discussed this issue with the rest of the editorial management, including our editor-in-chief, and we resolved to give Mr. Sata yet another chance,” Malupenga said.
“However, we want to remind Mr. Sata that we will always differ as individuals but to take such a confrontational stance whenever we differ is not good at all. It was unnecessary for Mr. Sata to say that he had severed his dealings with The Post and instead would deal with the Times of Zambia because, in his view, The Post is supporting MMD.
It was inappropriate for Mr Sata to take that course just like it will be for us to do with all those we differ with; we can't deny them coverage simply because we have differed or disagreed. In saying this, we are not implying that we do not want to be criticised. What we value most is honest criticism.”
Malupenga recalled that this was not the first time that Sata and The Post differed.
“We have been differing and reconciling over the years,” Malupenga observed. “But I am afraid that one day we might fail to reconcile. Just like a husband and wife who are always differing and reconciling, one day that marriage might end up in a divorce because the aggrieved spouse will say, 'we have been differing and reconciling on the same issue so it appears we won't resolve this matter.'”
However, Malupenga said The Post had no hard feelings against Sata and PF and would work with them as before.
“But let us all learn lessons from what happened to avoid a recurrence,” said Malupenga.
On August 26, this year, Sata declared that he had stopped dealing with The Post, accusing the newspaper of supporting the MMD and former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa.
Sata was angered because The Post did not use a picture of him kneeling before Maureen in Chipata before the latter chased him from the body viewing procession of the late president Mwanawasa.
“You people have started it again; you are supporting MMD and Maureen. We know you. Zambians are aware that you are for MMD. So what do you want to get from me? Just get out of this place! I will never deal with The Post again,” Sata angrily told Kachali. Later, Sata's bodyguard roughed up Kachali and chased him away.
In return, The Post gave in to Sata's instruction and stopped covering him as well as accepting adverts from the Patriotic Front.
posted by MrK @ 4:30 AM
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