MISA Zambia, an international professional journalism body, is concerned with the decision by Evelyn Hone College to dismiss its journalism lecturer Clayson Hamasaka.
According to a statement by the organization chairman Daniel Sikazwe, another member of the journalism section Emmanuel Maseko stands fired for attempting to allow opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema to feature on Hone fm – a college radio station.
State House last week pressurized management at the country’s biggest public college to fire Hamasaka whom it had linked to Hichilema’s impromptu visit to the institution.
Hichilema’s visit to the institution on a Sunday highlighted the plight of student’s poor sanitary conditions with some females alleging ablution blocks were threatening their hygiene.
MISA Zambia has confirmed that Hamasaka’s dismissal had everything to do with Hichilema’s visit to the institution.
“It has come to our attention through a vigorus verification process of the events prior to and after the dismissal of Mr Hamasaka and the pending dismissal of Mr Maseko that the management of Evelyn Hone College hindered Mr
Hichilema from enjoying his right to freedom of expression by blocking his appearance on the radio station through pressuring Hone FM presenter Mr Maseko from airing the programme,” Sikawze said in a statement to media houses on Tuesday.
He said the behaviour of the Evelyn Hone College management, influenced by State House, is contrary to the laws of Zambia.
“Article 20 of the Zambian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression which includes the right to hold an opinion, to receive ideas and information, to impart and communicate ideas and information, and to correspond without interference,” Sikwaze said.
“We are convinced that the dismissal is strongly pointing towards Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s visit to the college and the foiled appearance on the radio station on 6 August 2012.”
MISA Zambia has asked leaders of training institutions and media organizations whose reason for existence is the promotion of freedom of expression and right of access to information to respect the right of their employees and the public to enjoy their freedom of expression, association and access to information.
Since assuming office, the PF government has fired even junior journalists at all the state owned institution in the country.
Journalists at State owned and PF controlled ZNBC, Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail have been fired for being identified as sympathizers of the opposition.