Government would not allow people to tell lies in order to make the New Dawn Government unpopular, and that all lies would be met with the full force of factual information.
Lusaka, May 11 – The Zambia Institute of Independent Media Alliance (ZIIMA) has expressed its concern over the behaviour of Mr. Thabo Kawana, a civil servant and Director in the Ministry of Information and Media.
In a press statement issued yesterday, ZIIMA registered its displeasure at Mr. Kawana’s actions of storming studios during live debates, which it views as a deliberate victimization of media houses.
ZIIMA has since called upon the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry to censure Mr. Kawana and ensure that such behaviour is not repeated in the future.
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ZIIMA stated that while it encourages hosts of live programs to balance the panel, it views Mr. Kawana’s actions as unacceptable, especially given his position as a Director in the Ministry of Information and Media. The Ministry, it says, is supposed to uphold independence and media freedoms, in line with the aspirations of President Hakainde Hichilema and the New Dawn administration.
ZIIMA has since urged Mr. Kawana and other individuals who harbour such temptations to use other means, such as phoning or requesting the right to respond, instead of storming studios during live debates. Allowing such behavior to continue would lead to chaos in discussions and interviews.
ZIIMA has gone further urging media houses to remain strong and thwart any attempts at intimidation. The organization hopes that Mr. Kawana’s superiors will censure him for his behavior, and that this will be the last time such actions are witnessed.
In response to ZIIMA’s statement, the United Party for National Development (UPND) has justified Mr. Kawana’s actions.
The UPND issued a statement stating that its government would not allow people to tell lies in order to make the New Dawn Government unpopular, and that all lies would be met with the full force of factual information.
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And Mr. Kawana has equally defended his actions saying, “There is nothing confrontational in challenging lies, as this provides the Zambian people with an opportunity to hear both sides of the story and make their own sound judgment.”
He emphasized that the Ministry does not storm radio and TV stations, but instead engages the respective management before appearing on programs.
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Putting news into perspective
Polygamy among the Tonga speaking people has been. A way of life since time in memorial and practiced by people from all levels of life .It’s luck of proper words to say or may be excitiment of the non unknown for any person to attribute it to poverty or uneducation.Tongas are heads men ,serous farmers and live in large extended setups for good family walfare and togetherness .It’s rare to find fightings and misunderstandings among Tonga families .They live in hundreds in their villages but very united and peaceful