Respect media freedom, Chifuwe urges chief Mwanachingwala

Respect media freedom, Chifuwe urges chief Mwanachingwala
By Ernest Chanda
Sat 20 Mar. 2010, 03:20 CAT

PRESS Freedom Committee (PFC) of The Post general secretary Sheik Chifuwe has urged chief Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka District to understand and respect media freedom.

And Radio Mazabuka station manager Bellon Chintombwa has observed that chief Mwanachingwala is scared of positions people want to take on particular issues.

Reacting to chief Mwanachingwala’s threat to ensure that Radio Mazabuka (MAZ FM) is closed, Chifuwe called on the chief to exercise self-criticism and reflect on what had happened.

He reminded chief Mwanachingwala that every leadership was compelled to adhere to the Constitution of the land.

“Chief Mwanachingwala should take self-criticism so that he should be able to reflect on what has happened. The question he should first ask himself is why are the people saying what they are saying now about him? What has changed about him that suddenly he should fall out with his people?”

Chifuwe asked. “We think he should reflect on this issue and find out why his own people are not happy about his leadership. If he does this then he will get to know the reasons. We would like to remind him that every leadership adheres to the Constitution of the land.

And what chief Mwanachingwala is doing is to threaten the very existence of constitutional provisions on fundamental human rights. We urge him to respect media freedom. Media freedom is part of the fundamental human rights that the chief should respect.”

Chifuwe said chief Mwanachingwala should allow people to freely discuss issues affecting them.

“He should keep clear of the media, particularly Mazabuka Radio. Let people freely discuss their leadership and chiefdom. Let them also demand what is expected of a leader in their chiefdom.

The chief should allow the media to operate freely so that the people he claims to be representing can get information and make informed decisions. People should be allowed to engage freely on issues that affect them,” said Chifuwe.

And Chintombwa asked chief Mwanachingwala not to be scared of people’s divergent views on issues.

“It’s unfortunate that during this era some people don’t understand the role the media plays. We know that chief Mwanachingwala is scared of the positions people take on particular issues.

But that’s the beauty of democracy; you cannot all have one opinion. Currently, we are the only community radio station in the district and why is it that of all the four chiefs we have, chief Mwanchingwala is the only one uncomfortable with this station?” Chintombwa asked. “The man has taken the chiefdom into disrepute.

He has gone ahead grabbing people’s land. And he thinks because I come from his chiefdom, then whoever does not speak in his favour is sent by me. He came to our station and asked who Justin Katilungu is. And before we could attend to him, he started threatening to close this station; this is not right.”

Chief Mwanachingwala is reported to have threatened to close Radio Mazabuka on grounds that they station was allegedly airing insults about him.

“I’m not interested in talking to you, you Mazabuka radio, why are you interested in our chieftainship? Don’t talk about Bellon and Mutelo because those are slaves who have got nothing to do with our chieftainship, those are slaves and don’t ring me anymore again. I’m telling you not to ring me again. I’m not your chief because you always insult me. I’m not your chief.

What are you talking about? You were asking Michael Sata, what questions were you asking Sata during the Livewire programme on Saturday? I was listening. I’m not a fool, don’t ring me anymore. I have been telling you several times to say don’t ring me, I will make your radio station closed if you are playing with me,” threatened Mwanachingwala before hanging up.