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Media does not recognise ultimatum on self-regulation – PAZA

Media does not recognise ultimatum on self-regulation – PAZA
By Mutale Kapekele
Sat 19 Dec. 2009, 04:00 CAT

THE media will not ask government to extend the period of the six months ultimatum given to them to come up with a self-regulatory framework, Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) vice president Amos Chanda has disclosed.

In an interview, Chanda said the media did not recognise the ultimatum as they had their own work programme for coming up with a self-regulatory framework.

“We are not going to ask the government to extend their ultimatum,” Chanda said on Thursday. “Doing so will mean that we are recognising it ultimatum when we don’t. We have our own roadmap as the media and it does not involve any ultimatum. PAZA, MISA and Press Freedom Committee of The Post PFC , who are all part of the Media Liaison Committee (MLC) are not part of any ultimatums because that will not add value to dialogue as we work towards coming up with a self-regulatory framework.”

He disclosed that the MLC was expected to meet with information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha to explain the steps that the media would take in coming up with a self-regulatory mechanism.
“We are going to present the PAZA communiqué following our conference last week and we will explain to him Shikapwasha steps that we intend to take,” Chanda said.

On Monday, Lt Gen Shikapwasha maintained that the government would go ahead and introduce statutory regulation of the media if the ultimatum was not adhered to by the latter.

On Wednesday, Lt Gen Shikapwasha said he was disappointed that media associations had not approached his office to extend the period of the ultimatum.

Lt Gen Shikapwasha told Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) that he was ready to consider an extension to the ultimatum if media associations approached him.

Lt Gen Shikapwasha said he was disappointed that media organisations were issuing statements to the press about the ultimatum that ends on December 31, 2009 but did not approach his office to seek an extension.

Labels: AMOS CHANDA, MEDIA, PAZA, REGULATION

posted by MrK @ 4:43 AM