Had KBN TV not exposed the mischievous conversation, it would have betrayed the public interest it is expected to protect. It would have committed a crime by failing to report a crime or an attempt to commit a crime!
By Charles Chisala.
Lusaka, Feb. 14 – According to a statement released in the name of a UPND Deputy Media Director, Cheelo Katambo [picture insert], the ruling party is planning to instigate the arrest of KBN TV personality, Innocent Phiri, and the station’s CEO for recording a “private” phone conversation with Minister of Information and Media, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa.
Also Read: It’s a rotten, crooked and immoral government! – Dr. M’membe.
In the conversation, the embattled Chief Government Spokesperson was timidly trying to cajole the journalist to hush up the story of his earlier rant about his party having worked closely with ailing opposition PF stalwart, Hon. Chishimba Kambwili, to destroy former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s chances of winning the 2021 presidential election through tribal hate speech.
Literally pleading, Mr. Mweetwa promised to pay Mr. Phiri an unknown amount of money if he helped him to “clarify” his earlier remarks or killed the story.
Reacting to the massive public backlash, the UPND is harassing the journalist saying it is investigating him to establish if he and his station committed a crime and violated media ethics by recording and publishing a private conversation.
Also Read: UPND is evil! President Hichilema must fire Cornelius Mweetwa. – Amb. Mwamba.
My take: The UPND has too many fires raging right now for it to kindle yet another one. KBN TV did not violate any ethics and did not commit any crime by exposing an unfolding crime.
By recording and publishing Mr. Mweetwa’s offer of a bribe to the journalist, the private television station can successfully argue that it acted in the public interest.
In Journalism the public interest supercedes both the law and ethics. The right of the public to know, the public’s freedom of access to important information overrides Mr. Mweetwa’s right to privacy.
According to principles of Journalism, a journalist has a duty to protect the rights of the public over the rights of an individual. Mr. Mweetwa is not a private individual. No! He is a Cabinet Minister and therefore a public figure. The topic was a public issue.
About Our Advocacy: Woodpecker’s Digest is an online portal for news analyses and commentaries on topical issues of national interest and for articles on personal development and health! Journalism maintains democracy. It is a great tool for progressive social change!
©2024 Woodpecker’s Digest.
Putting news into perspective
