PRIVATE MEDIA KEY PARTNER TO DEVELOPMENT - KAPATA
GOVERNMENT has said the private media is a critical partner in the country’s economic and social development and shall therefore seriously pursue working partnerships irrespective of their editorial policies.
Henry Kapata, the Information and Media Director says it is Government’s desire that if there had been any perceived misunderstanding between the private media and the government, a new chapter of working together for the good of the country should be charted.
Mr Kapata, speaking during a familiarisation tour of the Daily Nation yesterday, attested to the fact that the private media was key in making sure that citizens were made aware of what Government was doing because it was in touch with the grassroots.
“We are here to open a new chapter. The private media is a critical component in the economic and social development of the country. This government of
President Hakainde Hichilema values the contribution the private media is making and that is why we want to open a new chapter of partnership.
We apologise if we as government had in any way done anything that could have disadvantaged the Daily Nation. I am here to create a new relationship and look to the future,” Mr Kapata said.
Mr Kapata said Government was carrying out huge developmental projects throughout the country and the media would be an important partner in information dissemination as well as alerting the Executive which areas require polishing.
He said developmental projects were all about inclusiveness irrespective of who owns the newspaper, political affiliation and culture.
“Why should we leave Daily Nation with all the experience and quality reporters that are able to portray to the public that this is what Government is doing, If there is anything wrong that we have not been doing in the past and have not been incorporating Daily Nation in some of the things I have mentioned, 2024 is a new Chapter and we say we are sorry,” Mr Kapata said.
And Daily Nation proprietor Dr Richard Sakala welcomed the partnership to ensure every Zambian had access to information on various issues which include business, agriculture and social justice.
Dr Sakala said dialogue and engagement between the government and private media was key in the delivery of the right information to the citizens.