Maravi

Love for money has dented journalism, says Sakeni

Love for money has dented journalism, says Sakeni
By Roy Habaalu
Thu 08 Nov. 2012, 14:00 CAT

KENNEDY Sakeni says love for money has dented the journalism profession. But Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) president Andrew Sakala says not all journalists are enticed with money. This comes in the wake of Muvi TV cameraperson Lloyd Kapusa who agreed to a K30 million out-of-court settlement after he was assaulted by William Banda.

Receiving a petition from the Media Liaison Committee (MLC) against the continued harassment of media practitioners in Lusaka on Tuesday, Sakeni who is chief government spokesperson said the state cannot act if a complainant withdraws a case.

"This love for money is what causes problems. Our hands as the state are tied. The journalist has the best answer for withdrawing a case. It's your (MLC) members that withdraw cases and there is nothing we can do, so direct your arsenals at your members," Sakeni said.

And the MLC has asked the government to take stern action against political actors who attack journalists with impunity.

Presenting a petition to Sakeni, MLC chairperson Gillies Kasongo demanded that the police be conscious in their ranks about the need for journalists to be protected when on assignments that can turn violent.

He said when journalists are attacked in police presence, the police should introduce a fast-track system of arresting culprits and taking them to court without relying and waiting on journalists to file a complaint.

"The political party should name and suspend their respective cadres found harassing journalists; and they should help take these cadres to police and court as a pledge of ridding their ranks of political violence," said Kasongo.
But Sakeni said parties that were harassing journalist were known because of their frustration.

"The problem is that people commit offences and our law enforcement agencies grow cold feet and that's what becomes a problem," Sakeni said.
And Sakala said the Muvi TV case was not a representation of a dented media profession.

"Just because one journalist withdrew a case does not paint the real picture of journalists. There are many journalists who are willing to let the law take its course. My appeal to journalists is they must not be taken by the love for money; they should resist whoever offers them money because the profession is more valuable than money, it can't be quantified in terms of money," said Sakala.

On the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Act, Sakeni said it would be ready soon.

Labels: CORRUPTION, JOURNALISM, KENNEDY SAKENI

posted by MrK @ 6:13 PM