Maravi

NCC abandons Mung’omba recommendation on press freedom

NCC abandons Mung’omba recommendation on press freedom
By Ernest Chanda
Sun 21 Feb. 2010, 04:01 CAT

SEVERAL delegates at the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) on Thursday refused to grant absolute freedom to the media as proposed in the Mung'omba draft constitution.

This was despite human rights committee chairperson Enock Mulembe's clarification that there were restrictions in other clauses ahead. Article 57 (1) of the Mung'omba draft constitution states that, “There shall be freedom of the press and other media.”

Most delegates argued that if left without control the media would feast on people without due respect for their rights.

Southern Province minister Daniel Munkombwe argued that giving the media such freedom would amount to opening a Pandora's box.

“Yes, press freedom is a necessity, but have we not heard in this country? So far certain radio stations create debate to merely scandalise and scorn people. We have known also some sections of the media which totally... So if we open a Pandora's box and give them freedom the country will go.

I'm not saying we are against this but I'm simply saying there must be some safety valve because if left like it's very easy for a multinational company to buy a whole range of the press and suffocate the country,” debated Munkombwe.

Munkombwe's views were supported by Northmead Assembly of God church overseer Bishop Joshua Banda, Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) representative Dr Antonette Phiri, among others.

Commissioner Chama Chilukuta from Nchelenge District Council complained that he was not happy with some of the language used by the media.

“The media today is quite dangerous. It is only today that we have certain print media publishing words like idiot, foolish towards fellow human beings or even the Head of State. I'm not saying it's all the media, but one groundnut can destroy the goodness of the other groundnuts. We need to provide safety measures,” said Chilukuta.

And Reverend Gibson Nyirenda, one of the Lusaka pastors who honoured former president Frederick Chiluba, claimed that some people in the media had become too powerful.

“Some people in this country have become untouchable. They write what they want and say what they want. If we don't give the media safety measures we are simply giving them a blank cheque for pornography. Every time you open the papers you read insults and see pornographic pictures. The world over is talking about fighting HIV/AIDS. Now, how shall we fight AIDS if we give the media a blank cheque?” Rev Nyirenda asked.

But Bweengwa UPND member of parliament Highvie Hamududu challenged those complaining to form their own newspapers and write what they wanted. He said there were enough defamatory laws in the country for those who felt insulted by the media.

“This country is not going forward. I support this Article 100 per cent and it must be approved without any infliction. We all know that in this country the press is subject to the Constitution.

I think the people talking about insults don't understand the Constitution. If the press insult you take them to court because they are subject to the Constitution of the land. Why do you want to continue chasing one newspaper when you have a chance to create your own?”

Hamududu inquired. “I want to caution people in this conference not to be subjective. You won't be in power forever because one day you will need the same press you are trying to gag. If you doubt me ask my brother George Mpombo, who if not for the press today he would have been dead and buried. But because of the press he has risen up and is more read about than some of you. So if you are not happy with what the press writes open up your own newspaper and write what you want.”

His views were supported by Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) president Andrew Sakala who said if passed, the media would for the first time be supported by a stand alone clause.

When it came to voting, the conference resolved to adopt the clause but with the importation of limitations from Article 20 (3) a, b and c of the current Constitution.

Labels: CONSTITUTION, DEAN MUNG'OMBA, GIBSON NYIRENDA, HIGHVIE HAMUDUDU, NCC, PRESS FREEDOM

posted by MrK @ 7:23 AM