‘Journalists can use information law to sell country’
Vice president George Kunda says the freedom of information bill has been withdrawn from parliament.
Kunda said in parliament that the bill can not be made into law now because some Zambian journalists will use it to sell the country.
Kunda said some Zambian journalists are unpatriotic and irresponsible and therefore passing the Freedom of Information bill into law will only be done later.
He said the bill will be taken back to parliament ‘when it is in the best interest of Zambians.’
He said government is treading very carefully on that particular law.
And Kunda has advised NGOs to stop complaining endlessly when ever they are criticised.
In an apparent reference to Transparency International Zambia, Kunda said that some NGOs have the terndency of complaining for more than a month whenever they are mildly criticised.
He said the NGOs like holding press conferences and paying for full pages of adverts in newspapers just to complain about being criticised.
He said that the same NGOs like criticizing politicians.
16 Responses to ‘Journalists can use information law to sell country’
Go Social
i totally agree with our able veep. we have alot of idiots in our media flatenity e.g the post newspaper and its editors(criminals)
RB beyond 2011 - November 8, 2009
19:51
patriot.
i do agree with the stance that media houses have to be regulated but only by the zambia public.where an independent body free of government intervention and answerable to the public only. where an action should noly be taken agianst a media institution by public opinion where a threshold of complaint is reached.
iin the CASE OF THE POST i find there reporting to be vindicative against RB.i read the POST everyday and was one of the few subscribers to the online edition.i have recently found it sickening that every EDITORIAL is almost or about RB.
the POST are highly informed in their line of work and that no one can take away from them,they have earned it in the past 18yrs.But just as they have stated that politicians are not experts on all subjects can be said of them on certain issues.
they have single handedly pushed GOV. to force these laws on us and my GOD alot of us feel it’s the only way to reduce their aggresive reporting,which is the future but quite in it’s infancy in my zambia.
MMD should be creative enough and counter the POST by getting a stealth controlling stake in media houses like THIS ONE.
nkole - November 8, 2009
17:00
Anonymous says:
Surely you do not understand the point. What you and Hlatswayo Cele(I hope you are not one and the same person) are trying to tell us in simple terms is that the Post newspaper tells a lot of lies and are in the habit of distorting the truth in order for them to increase sells and maximise profits. Well I disagree with that perception. I, as one of the readers of the Post Newspaper I am intelligent enough to distiguish truth from fiction. If I do not agree with what the Post newspaper is charning out I will read other newspapers instead. It’s about choices, simple. The fact that the Post newspaper has been in business for over 18yrs and is still the most popular newspaper in Zambia today confirms that are in tune with society and reflect their views. The point made by Hlatswayo that if the Post reflected what society thinks then Sata would be president today is actually confirmation to the contrary. If you analyse the last presidential results you will notice that in areas where people are well informed(Urban areas people read the post) the opposition did well. MMD capitalised on the less informed rural voters and tribal votes to win. Doesn’t it suprise you that vocal radio stations are not allowed to broadcast in Rural areas?
We all know that the GRZ wants to impose regulation laws on the media in order to stifle criticism from the likes of the Post. We also know that there are existing media laws that are there to deal with issues of lies, distortion etc. The Post newspaper like any other newspaper does make mistakes and people have sued them. But we should give them credit for promoting transparency in govt and exposing numerous scandals. Let us give credit were it is due and promote freedom of expression in Zambia.
Zambia Patriot - November 8, 2009
15:46
This is dangerous that a vice president will look at the people who elected him to office and say they are dangerous they are going to sell the country if they know what their government is doing. Mr kunda is not fit to be vice president and must be removed.I can’t believe the level of arrogance coming from the so called educated vice president.I am going to put it in clear terms this the government is tyrannic and its time we woke up and start facing these people that we love this country and we are as patriotic as anybody. Today the right to information is denied because some journalist might misuse the information to sell the country tomorrow we will be denied the right to ask government any question because they are our leader we should just do what they say we should do.
kambilombilo - November 8, 2009
04:14
Zambia Patriot
I suppose your continuing to discourse on this matter with me is for other reasons than the point. For unless I am utterly mistaken, your point is that, the image reflected by a mirror does not matter, as long as it reflects the object before it, whether the image is a distorted reflection of the object or not. Utterly unbelievable.
If that is your point, then we stand at extreme opposites and therefore not surprised that you defer with me on this issue.
For to you, it matters not if lies are peddled by the press because according to your reasoning, people will still decipher lies from truth.
But my point is exactly the antithesis of such a proposition. Whether one likes it or not the press influences public perception. And the essence of my point is that unless the media (mirror) is an authentic one, what it will churn out (portray) will be obscured, deformed, distorted, less than true, magnified, altered image of the society (object).
This distorted image is squarely the product of the type of mirror used. We cannot imagine that all people in a society are capable of deciphering truth from lies nor those who can, have the time to examine in detail from the torrid information thrown at them on a daily basis, what is true or not. The press influences public perception finito.
Unless one is an extreme pervert, most people will not tolerate gossip, concocted lies aimed at them. If left unregulated, left to be a law unto themselves, the media is that channel through which propaganda becomes the money spinning scheme.
The honest truth is that in order to up sells, the media often peddles lies to attract attention. That is not fair for the victims of such snares.
That is why I find it utterly unbelievable that anyone can advance such reasons as yours which are against the essentials of basic logic and human custom. Unless we are back in the dark ages, we cannot start promoting a culture that elevates lawlessness.
I hope that you will find within youself the moral conscious to question the utter incongruity of your reasoning on this matter, which I trust you will. Unless your whole point is other than to discuss my obvious assertion.
As a nation, we can’t, must not tolerate a culture of gossip mongering, which even our tradition dispels as evil. The good book is clear about this. Our human conscious (unless seared) is clear about this. Survival and greed cannot be an excuse at the expense of dignity and fairness.
I for sure that you are not the Zambian Patriot that I know on this blog, but if you are, then you are just pulling my leg.
Anonymous - November 7, 2009
15:28
What? The media who are fighting for our freedom sell our country? Give us a break Kunda and Company.
Is it not you people in Government who are selling Zambia out? You are the sell-outs!
ZANACO is long gone as are the mines. Now it is ZAMTEL, next it may be ZNBC, ZNS… there seems to be an obsession against anything with “Z” in it.
One can only be glad that the Parliament Complex and State House don’t start with a “Z”, they could be the next ones to be sold?
Don’t point an accusing finger, when there are more pointing back at you.
KAPATAMOYO - November 7, 2009
14:03
Anonymous:
The point remains that whether the image is enlarged or minimized it still depicts the person standing in front of it. If you are not happy with the way you look in front of a concave or convex mirror then surely you will use a normal mirror(in the case of GRZ the times and daily mail) and leave the other mirrors for others to use if it is their prefence. It is irrational behaviour for you to break the other mirrors. There might be other people who prefer using them and it is their choice to do so.
Zambia Patriot - November 7, 2009
13:24
Zambia Patriot
You say
“it will not show an expanded or minimized image…”
As a matter of fact dependent on the type of mirror, an image could be distorted. Surely you must be able to agree with such an obvious illustration. The concave mirror will over enlarge the image while the convex will minimize it. Isn’t that the case surely?
The images reflected by different types of mirrors are obviously different. I fail to see how someone can argue against such an obvious matter.
Anonymous - November 7, 2009
10:30
Hlatswayo Cele or whatever your name is I am failing to understand your logic or reasoning. It does not matter what type of mirror you are looking at, the truth is that it will always reflect your image. In simple terms if you are looking at a concave, convex or normal mirror you will always see a true image of yourself either in expanded form, minimized form or normal form. The type of mirror you use is irrelevant, it will not show an expanded or minimized image of a beast if an angel is standing in front of it. Baically this is what the post editorial was putting across.
Journalists like any other writers have a right to spice up stories to make then attractive to the readership but it is up to the readers to agree or disagree with what they write about. I am sure most Zambians are not stupid to accept anything the Post writes about as Gospel truth if they did not agree with what they wrote about. I rest my case.
Zambia Patriot - November 7, 2009
00:38
WHERE WORDS ARE MANY SIN IS NOT ABSENT
We have more than once stated and warned about the dangers that the POST poses to this nation. These same concerns are now being voiced out by our Members of Parliament. The recklessness of this Tabloid is bemusing to say the least, hiding behind pretensions of championing truth.
They have deliberately set out to peddle lies with a hope of bringing about civil unrest. I wonder if they think they will be safe from the chaos that would unfold.
There is no greater office or institution in any nation than the PRESIDENCY which is the embodiment of NATIONAL SECURITY. If the institution of the PRESIDENCY is under attack, the security of the nation is under attack. It is incumbent upon the custodian of the nation then to invoke the highest powers bestowed to ensure national security.
There is absolutely no reason why these unwarranted attacks on the PRESIDENCY should continue.
Unwarranted attacks on the PRESIDENCY are attacks on the security of the nation and no one should suppose that he/she is immune from the repercussions.
If the hierarchy does not heed this timely warning, we will be placing our future as a nation at stake. The wolves are about ready to ply on the situation.
Again, these unwarranted attacks on the PRESIDENCY must stop. We cannot allow a few selfish individuals to jeopardize the peace of the nation. There is just too much at stake.
The best way to bring normalcy is by way of media regulation. The paradox of the matter is that a free press is still vital. That is a free press operating under regulation, which regulation is a protection of the society against abuse by the press.
Anonymous - November 6, 2009
17:41
WD
I submitted an article titled ‘THE POLITICS OF OPPOSITION PARTIES IN ZAMBIA’ by Hlatswayo Cele, this morning. Seeing that this item is missing from the blog, you obviously have issues against it. I humbly request your reasons against its publication?
I am well aware of my limitations and look forward to your ever wise response.
Anonymous
Anonymous - November 6, 2009
17:34
kicks of a dying horse..are that bad!!red lips ala!!
boboy - November 6, 2009
16:31
I think journalists have enough freedom in this country. if you can get away with publishing insults towards the Govnt and the head of state for the purpose of commercial circulation what more freedom do you need.
Engines - November 6, 2009
16:20
The withdraw of this bill has nothing to do with the sell of this country. Nothing to do with the security of this nation. I wonder howmany clients will be visiting Mr.Kundas lawfirm when he goes on full time basis after October 2011. Ubufi ba Kunda bwacilamo.
Alistoto - November 6, 2009
16:14
The withdrawal of the Freedom of Information Bill is a setback to the good governance of our country. The reasons the VP Kunda has given about unpatriotic Zambians using the information to outsiders is utter vague and a daylight robbery by this government to make sure that their corrupt tracks are not traced. Of course under the freedom of information bill, a person who accesses that information is known beforehand and we’re not talking about any military info here. Terrorist prone countries like Britain are using that bill and it unearthed the MPs expenses scandal that saw the speaker of the house resign. So what is so special about a Zambia with unpatriotic head of leaders who are using security as a reason to the FIB withdraw. Zambians grow up please. Do it for the country and not for yourselves. What are the MPs doing both ruling & Opp. surely to allow such rot to go on in our country? Nowonder Africa will never develop because of bureacratic governments full of red tape idiology and silencing critism.
Kamba Kamba - November 6, 2009
14:05
THE POST – THE MIRROR OF OUR SOCIETY?
By Hlatswayo Cele
The media is the mirror of the society. So we are told by conventional thinking. This thinking is conveniently promoted by the media fraternity and correct in a certain sense. But in a real sense such parochial thinking is the basis of abuse by rogue journalists set on intent to promote their primary objective of profit making. However, the obvious thing to note, as most things in this world, is that the media is prone to abuse.
Societies are open to manipulation and the media has over the years been used as a tool for that abuse. Over time, with eventual development of democratic principles and governance, it has been found necessary worldwide to curtail this abuse, by putting in place regulatory framework, through enacted professional bodies mandated to oversee the conduct of practitioners, in this case, of journalism, ensuring fair play and protection of rights of individuals, governments, organizations and such other entities in the torchlight of the media.
The image reflected by a mirror is dependent on what type a mirror is. A concave mirror will reflect a different image from a convex or a normal mirror. The images reflected by different types of mirrors are not necessarily true reflections of the objects. The POST’s assertion that what they report is the true reflection of our society is clearly a flawed position and we aught to be suspicious. Why are they afraid of being scrutinized when they are busy scrutinizing others? The POST is surely not a true reflection of our society, if it were, SATA their preferred candidate, would have been our leader by now. That is what they were essentially reporting during last years Presidential election campaigns.
There must be an independent body or frame work to ascertain that the mirrors used meet the required standard. Often what may seem as normal mirrors may not necessarily be reflecting a true image until scrutinized under stringent guidelines. The type of glass used, including its thickness and source, type of reflective paint and other such criteria must be ascertained before use. Otherwise, chances are that cheats will continue taking advantage, to meet their overriding objectives of profit making.
Is the Post newspaper a concave, convex or normal mirror? Well, in their edition of yesterday they claim they are a normal scrutinized mirror. Their word against who? Which mirror are they using to scrutinize themselves? Their own? If yes, is it no wonder they claim innocence denying any wrong doing. They are basically a law unto themselves.
The image the POST would want us have of them is that they always and only promote the absolute truth pointing to a standard that is inscrutable. Obviously and surely their plain target is the unsuspecting masses who easily swallow everything and anything that is paged in print. Nonetheless, the seeing know better and it is upon the seeing to educate the same targeted masses that the media should also be subjected to a mirror other than their own.
A law breaker does not want to the restriction it imposes, he wants to freely do his trade unhindered, un-scrutinized. Imagine if it were so for all other trades. The builder would erect a 20 storey building with out someone scrutinizing his designs against failure. The Accountant would apportion company monies according to his convenience unconcerned how and whether he meets any criteria, the bankers would collude and charge exorbitant interest rates. And of course the Journalist will report in a manner that ensures maximum profit for his sells.
If all trades are subjected to one form of assessment or another in terms of conduct and professionalism, why shouldn’t the journalist be subjected to the same? The only reason fair to hear, is that if scrutinized the journalist will not have a chance to swim in the profitable waters of gossip and cheap chattering.
That is not to say that media operating in an environment of regulatory framework is a stifled one, as they suggest, no. What regulatory framework means is that the media will be consciously aware of the rights of others, without an infinite platform of opportunity to operate whereas others rights are prone to irretrievable abuse infringed by conniving media practitioners.
An illustration, Chiluba has been acquitted by the courts but the POST continues to call him a thief. Would Chiluba in the current set up be wise to take the POST to court for this abuse? Of course not. The protractions that would ensue in such a matter would be ponderous. But given the right framework, he would, with definite chance of a successful litigation. That is what the POST and any other against regulation are up against.
If one who is unqualified to get a loan of $30 million dollars yet manages to do so despite his inability, what other means could give him that privilege? It can only be by illegal favours. That is what the POST did through their entity ZA with the help of some well known figures. Isn’t that corruption? It is impossible to imagine how individuals with hardly enough cover (collateral) could have managed to obtain the amounts involved. Talk about hypocrisy, there has never been as great as this.
Anonymous - November 6, 2009
13:35