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NCC debates banning media from covering proceedings

NCC debates banning media from covering proceedings
Written by Allan Mulenga and Katwishi Bwalya
Tuesday, February 03, 2009 9:00:23 AM

THE National Constitutional Conference (NCC) is considering banning journalists from covering its proceedings following what it termed misrepresentation of facts by some media organisations.

During the executive committee’s ongoing sittings yesterday, some members proposed that the media should not be allowed to cover NCC proceedings.

This was after Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) trustee Mtumbi Goma complained that he was misquoted during matters arising from last week’s minutes.

MMD national executive committee (NEC) trustee Japehn Mwakalombe argued that journalists should be banned from covering debates but should be allowed to get information on what was discussed on that particular day from the committee chairperson Michael Mabenga.

Goma was supported by Lundazi member of parliament Mukhondo Lungu amid cheers from other members who shouted...”some media organisations do not want the NCC, so they choose what debates to carry in their newspapers to suit their agenda.”

But Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe opposed the idea, arguing that there was no need to bar journalists from covering debates.

“Let us allow journalists to do their own job without interference. We need the media, so there is no way we can dictate what they should write,” Munkombwe said.

Munkombwe’s submission was supported by UPND vice-president Richard Kapita, who urged members not to put restrictions on the media.

“There is no way the media can be banned from covering debates as long as they are reporting truthfully and sincerely,” Kapita said.

This prompted Mabenga to rule that the committee secretariat would write to NCC chairperson Chifumu Banda to decide on the matter.

“We agreed that we should write to the spokesperson [Mwangala Zaloumis] but now we have changed that we write to the chairperson himself who will look at the matter for us on what action to take,” Mabenga said.

And in an interview, Goma said he was forced to bring the matter to the committee because a named Daily Mail reporter allegedly misquoted him.

“When you look at the Daily Mail of 30th January, there is a story on who takes over when the presidential election is nullified. I was misquoted of having supported that the Speaker [of the National Assembly] takes over, but I submitted that Cabinet takes over,” said Goma. “This is not the first time, last week Muvi TV misquoted one of the commissioners.”

And on Friday, the land and environment committee held its meeting in camera.

The reason for the decision was not made clear to journalists who were turned away from covering the proceedings.

However, the journalists were only allowed entry into the committee meeting towards the end of the proceedings.

Committee chairperson Request Muntanga said the committee intends to bar The Post from covering its proceeds because of what he termed negative reporting about the NCC.

Muntanga’s comments followed his exchange of words with Namwala UPND member of parliament Major Robby Chizyuka during the proceedings.

After noticing the presence of the Post journalist, Muntanga said he knew that the reporter would only write about the exchange of words.

“From everything that came out of the meeting I know what you are going to write about, it’s only the negative things about NCC. In fact that is why we intend to bar you from covering the NCC,” said Muntanga.

Labels: NCC, ZCTU

posted by MrK @ 9:00 AM