IBA SHOULD STOP BEHAVING LIKE A PF WING SAYS FDD SPOKESPERSON, ANTONIO MWANZA, The action by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) directing Hot FM Radio to send an apology to State House for airing an interview which Mr. George Chellah gave the Radio Station dismissing reports that President Micheal Sata had been evacuated tantamount to intimidation and suppression of Press freedom and should strongly be condemned. Article 24(1), c of the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act states that the programming provided by a commercial broadcasting service shall include news and information programmes including discussion on matters of national significance. Surely, the health of the President is a national matter and not a personal matter. Mr. Sata is not a private individual but a public servant and the people of Zambia have every right to know his health status. In fact President Sata himself is on record stating that the people of Zambia have the right to discuss his health, so what was wrong with Hot FM airing the interview Mr. George Chellah gave with regards to Mr. Sata’s health. It is clear to us that the IBA was acting on instructions from someone at State House otherwise why would the authority choose to be both the complainant and the judge in this matter. Mr. Nkandu and his colleagues ought to know that the IBA was put in place to serve the interest of all the Zambians and not only the interests of the ruling Party. We therefore call upon him and his colleagues to exhibit highest levels of professionalism and to avoid such biases. As for Hope and Chi and Hot FM Radio ,we salute you for your gallant work. Stay strong and resist intimidation for you are doing a noble job of informing the masses on important national issues. Ignore the directive from IBA to apologize to State House for you did not commit any crime in broadcasting Mr. Chellah’s interview. Viva Press Freedom. Abash Intimidation. ISSUED BY ANTONIO MWANZA, FDD SPOKESPERSON.
Posted on: Thu, 05 Jun 2014 12:42:28 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015