WHEN THEIR GLASS HOUSES CRACK MINISTERS BEFRIEND PRIVATE MEDIA

THERE is a growing tendency among some politicians to shift goal-posts regarding their relationship with Zambian private media once the wind is not blowing in their direction.

During first president, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda’s one-party state, the only privately owned print media was the National Mirror, a tabloid newspaper that was wholly owned by three church mother bodies, the Christian Council of Zambia (CCZ) now Council of Churches in Zambia, the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC).

Public media then comprised two broadsheet newspapers, the Zambia Daily Mail and Times of Zambia while Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) radio and television were the only form of electronic media.

During that period most cabinet Ministers, MPs and other government officials did not want to make even a comment in the National Mirror fearing repercussions from the Party and its Government.

Those days, Ministers, MPs and other government officials only befriended the National Mirror after falling out of favour with the system.

They were frequent visitors at the newspaper’s offices in Lusaka’s Kabulonga residential area often presenting themselves in “walk-in” interviews even without appointments.

This tendency is becoming eminent among some political leaders who were once “enemies” with private media.

This is a clique of politicians which, during their reign of power as Cabinet Ministers or MPs among other such groups, did not want to be close allies or associated with the Zambian privately owned media, both print and electronic.

The private media was deemed as a thorn in their flesh which should not even be accorded first priority in terms of state functions and assignments.

Their manoeuvres to stifle private media received both local and international condemnation which they often ignored and brushed aside as mere politicking.

Remember how Vernon Mwaanga, the then Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services under late President Levy Mwanawasa’s MMD Government, became unpopular following his attempt to close the country’s first private radio station Radio Phoenix for the manner they fearlessly conducted their Let The People Talk programme.

During that period, there was heated debate on the programme regarding meagre salaries for medical doctors with most callers sympathising with the doctors.

Today, the veteran politician and former diplomat is now a friend of private media as is evident of the unregulated coverage on Radio Phoenix and other related media he is privy to.

Again in 2015 Radio Phoenix management was traumatised when then Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Chishimba Kambwili threatened to revoke the radio station’s operating licence if it continued being influenced by the opposition.

Mr. Kambwili warned the owners of Radio Phoenix that an investigation was instituted in that regard and if it was found that it was true that the political party was interfering in the running of the station, government would be left with no option but to revoke the licensc.

Mr Kambwili, who was also Chief Government spokesperson, further warned reporters at Radio Phoenix to desist from anti-government propaganda or risk their station being closed.

He went on to complain that the radio station had an antigovernment agenda accusing shareholders of being opposition UPND sympathisers.

He also warned the owners of Radio Phoenix that the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) was mandated to look into the issues of bias in radio reporting and they had been instructed to find out why one of the station’s presenters, Christine Ngwisha was fired.

Ms. Ngwisha was fired in unclear circumstances after she hosted the Information Minister “Let the People talk.” The dismissal fuelled speculations in several media circles.

“When Errol Hickey was running Radio Phoenix, it was professional and impartial but now it is no longer the case. You are ever promoting the UPND in all programming,” Mr Kambwili charged.

And Mr Kambwili said he had no hand in the firing of Radio Phoenix programme presenter Christine Ngwisha but rather she was allegedly fired by the radio station for hosting him (Mr Kambwili) on “Let the People Talk” programme.

“For your information, ZNBC will employ Christine. So you have not achieved anything by firing her,” he was quoted as saying.

“No political party should have a hand in the running of a radio station. As Government, we have noted that Radio Phoenix is proopposition and anti-Government,” Mr Kambwili said.

The minister said if investigations establish that the UPND is influencing Radio Phoenix’s broadcasts, Government will revoke its licence.

Mr. Kambwili’s threats received condemnation from the Media In- stitute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter.

“MISA Zambia is displeased that the minister entrusted with the affairs of the media in the country is the one taking the lead to harass and terrorise media houses.

We also note with concern the growing trend of threats from the chief government

spokesperson against various media outlets and the media fraternity as a whole.

“We wish to remind the Minister of Information that one of the duties of his portfolio is to help foster media development and diversity through the creation of a favourable environment for the media to flourish, as opposed to suppressing media outlets that are seen to be critical of government,” read part of the MISAZambia media alert.

MISA reiterated that the media in Zambia did not need a terrorist for a minister but rather a person who understands and appreciates the role that the media played.

Today the story is different Mr Kambwili has now found solace in the UPND after his unceremonious exit as Cabinet Minister.

But memories are still fresh in the minds of progressive thinking Zambians, after the Roan Constituency lawmaker charged that even if Jesus was to come to contest a seat in Southern Province, Tongas would vote for Hakainde Hichilema.

This was during the stature of Mr. Kambwili’s executive powers.

However after his tumble, Mr. Kambwili has since apologised to the Tonga-speaking people of Southern Province while embracing the UPND as his close allies.

He sought pity from the Tonga people for having belittled them at the height of the last election campaigns.

Mr. Kambwili clearly sees politics as dynamic and thinks anything can happen as “I can either join the UPND or form my own political party but that for now I’m PF.”

However, the current government’s stance on private media focuses on working cordial relations.

This was evident last year when Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Kampamba Mulenga, advised private media houses in the country against perceiving government as their enemy.

She made the remarks in Lusaka when she featured live on Millennium Radio during her tour of the station.

Ms Mulenga advised the private media to work with Government in keeping people informed on various issues which affect them.

“Let us unite for a common goal of disseminating information to the public. We want to be partners in developing our country.

“The private media sometimes behave as though they do not belong to this country. They are biased but you need to do more, especially on issues of governance,” she said.

Ms Mulenga noted that the private and public media serve the same audience – Zambians.

And Ms Mulenga said her ministry would soon put up a circular informing all ministers to be featuring on private radio and television stations to explain some policies.

She was responding to concerns by Prime Television proprietor Gerald Shawa that ministers shun featuring on private broadcasting stations.

Following her pronouncement, Cabinet Ministers have been featuring on some private radio and TV Station as a gesture of widening scope in informing viewers on government’s development agenda.

Meanwhile, government’s recognition of journalists as the fourth estate in national development was more pronounced last year during celebrations to mark the World Press Freedom Day which falls on May 3.

This was when Minister of Justice Given Lubinda said President Lungu attached great importance of journalists in national development.

Mr. Lubinda said this was because President Lungu and his administration recognised the role of the media played as a fourth estate in national development.

To continue the path of cordial relations between private media and government, perhaps media associations should consider holding stakeholders’ workshops with politicians, both ruling and opposition, Cabinet Ministers, MPs and other government officials in mapping out a permanent solution that would end perceived suspicions of private media by some politicians.