The Patriotic Front (PF) on the Copperbelt has said it is disappointed that some media bodies have allegedly “abandoned their role of promoting media freedom to champion political interests.”
The party has called on international donors, particularly Ireland, to re-consider their financial support to such organisations, arguing they are overstepping their bounds.
Provincial youth chairperson Kabwe Chanda says Zambians are concerned that the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia has remained mute on the assault of Muvi Televison cameraperson Lloyd Kapusa.
“Donors are funding a façade for a political establishment, which is fighting the PF government to achieve aims that have nothing to do with media freedom,” Mr Chanda said, “there is no doubt that in its current form and leadership, MISA Zambia lacks the necessary credibility to support meaningful media reforms in this country.”
Critics of the government view the attempt to threaten MISA’s donors as a response to a number of public statements issued by the organization criticizing the ruling party’s conduct of harassing and threatening journalists in the country.
But MISA vice-chairperson Nalumino Nalumino has dismissed the claims, saying the institution shall not play politics with anyone.
The PF’s chief complaint with MISA was that they were not aggressive enough in the defense of a MUVI TV cameraman, Mr. Kapusa, who got into a scuffle with an opposition politician, William Banda of the the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Mr Kapusa, however, opted to settle the matter outside court after Mr Banda offered to pay him K30 million even though the case, which is now against the state, has not been withdrawn from court.
Mr Chanda said unlike in Mr Kapusa’s case, MISA was quick to condemn police when UPND cadres were tear-gassed in Lusaka.
“MISA Zambia’s anti-PF stance is very well documented,” he said. “Prior to last year’s elections, this organisation chose to ignore the PF’s concerns about the abuse of the public media by the MMD, but when PF barred ZNBC from covering its national conference because of such concerns, MISA Zambia was quick to condemn the PF.”
Mr Chanda said MISA Zambia has not publicly commented on the alleged defamatory documentaries by journalist Chanda Chimba III against President Sata, and The Post managing editor Fred M’membe. On August 8, Mr. Chimba’s home was raided by police and drug enforcement agents bearing a search warrant on the basis of “offensive dangerous weapons and laptops.” He was subsequently interrogated by police and warned and cautioned for “owning property that may be proceeds of a crime.”
Chanda said donors must reconsider funding MISA Zambia because they are not carrying out their mandate objectively.
Mr Chanda said donors such as Irish Aid must take interest in knowing how their funds are used at MISA Zambia and reconsider their partnership with the organisation.
“It is public knowledge that for a long time, several annual audit reports have revealed serious financial mismanagement in MISA Zambia. I challenge MISA Zambia to come out clean on these concerns,” he said.