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(LUSAKATIMES) Regulating media coverage, an infringement on press freedom-Nawakwi

Regulating media coverage, an infringement on press freedom-Nawakwi
TIME PUBLISHED - Saturday, April 14, 2012, 1:29 pm

Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi has said regulating the media in coverage of State House functions is an infringement on press freedom.

Speaking in an interview, Ms. Nawakwi said the media is the fourth estate of government and that it must be allowed to carry out its mandate of informing the general populous efficiently.

She has since called for the enactment of the Freedom of Information Bill stating that this will allow for an effective media in the country.

And Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Mike Mulongoti said the move is untenable as it will not work in the best interest of Zambians.

Their comments come in a wake of an attempt by Permanent Secretary in-charge of administration at Cabinet office Annie Sinyangwe to restrict the coverage of state house functions to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS), a move that has received wide condemnation.

According to Ms. Sinyangwe, State House has become too small to accommodate all the journalists.

QFM

Labels: EDITH NAWAKWI, FDD, MIKE MULONGOTI

posted by MrK @ 4:16 PM