Maravi

Govt wants to regulate media using ZAMEC documents

Govt wants to regulate media using ZAMEC documents
By Patson Chilemba
Thu 17 June 2010, 08:00 CAT

THE Media Liaison Committee (MLC) yesterday disclosed that information minister Ronnie Shikapwasha wants to use the amended ZAMEC documents that were given to him in good faith to enact a statutory mechanism to regulate the media.

And the media in the country have labeled Shikapwasha as a public enemy.
Presenting the speech prepared by the MLC at Cresta Golf View yesterday in Lusaka, MLC member Sally Chiwama said the media had been delayed by government from launching the Zambia Media Council 30 days after the World Press Freedom Day.

She said the media wanted to give government, through Shikapwasha's office, an opportunity to review the amended ZAMEC documents and address government concerns, which were presented to the same MLC by government through the same minister.

Chiwama said to the surprise of the media bodies, Shikapwasha had refused to meet them since he returned from New York a month ago.

"His office received two of our letters of request to meet him over government's concerns on ZAMEC. To date, he has maintained his refusal to meet us. It now appears to us that we are at the mercy of the government, when in fact we are not.

We have learnt that the Minister of Information plans to use OUR amended documents to go ahead with statutory media regulation," Chiwama said.

"We gave him these amended documents in good faith knowing fully well that he will give government's review and comments on ZAMEC and subsequently, to assist the media Liaison Committee, address government's concerns over the same. Rev.

Shikapwasha has failed to do so. It is very clear that he wishes to table these documents before Parliament to enact a statutory mechanism for media regulation in Zambia."

Chiwama said the MLC was now wondering whether Shikapwasha, by his actions, was the right person to represent government in discussing its concerns over ZAMEC. She said Shikapwasha was failing in his duties as Minister of Information and government chief spokesperson.

Chiwama said the Ministry of Information was the public relations wing of government.

"In our view, this wing deserves a good person who listens and responds appropriately to the needs and interests of the public. By definition, democracy is a government of the people by the people and for the people.

And for any democratic country to flourish, a free and responsible press is a catalyst to development," Chiwama said. "By his actions, Rev. Shikapwasha has demonstrated clearly that he cannot and will never respond to the public good."

Chiwama said the route Shikapwasha had taken was mainly borne out of selfish desire to suppress press freedom and the kind of information the public accessed, which would eventually derail the small democracy the country had recorded the past decade.

She said at the rate the government was moving, it was clear that the government was suppressing any form of good governance and democracy.
"In the interest of public good, we declare Rev Shikapwasha, as a public enemy. His clear negative actions have qualified him as a person who stifles good governance and democracy.

In view of the prevailing scenario, as the MLC, we remain resolved and focussed to go ahead with our plans to launch ZAMEC," Chiwama said. "We believe that what we are doing is for the good of the public, as opposed to satisfying personal and political interests of a few selected individuals. We will be communicating to our stakeholders and the people who gave us this mandate on the preparations towards the launch of ZAMEC."

Chiwama said the MLC had since commenced the process of registering Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) with or without government's cooperation.
"However, we still maintain our spirit of dialogue and consensus.

To this, our doors will remain ever open for further dialogue. I thank you all for taking time to attend this briefing. Your continued support towards the MLC has not gone un-heard," said Chiwama.

Labels: MEDIA, REGULATION, RONNIE SHIKAPWASHA, ZAMEC

posted by MrK @ 3:31 PM