Zambia Media urged to uphold ethics ahead of polls

As the country heads for the fourth-coming tripartite elections, media practitioners have been called upon to ensure adherence to ethics to avoid plunging the country into chaos.

The call is from Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Alfred Chingi, who says the media carries a huge responsibility in disseminating information on what various sectors are doing to uplift people’s lives.

Mr. Chingi stressed the need to adhere to media ethics and the electoral code of conduct, which he says are guiding tools to free and fair elections.

He reminded media practitioners to ensure that people are well informed especially during an election year to facilitate fair and peaceful elections.

Mr. Chingi was speaking at commemorations to mark world Press Freedom Day in Zambia’s tourist capital, Livingstone.

The theme for this year’s celebrations is, “ethnical media for peaceful elections.
And Former Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Mutale Nalumango says media freedom should be accompanied with responsibilities.

Adding her voice to this year’s World Press Freedom day, Ms. Nalumango, who is deputy speaker of the national assembly, says freedom should be complimented with accountability.

Zambia on the 3rd of May joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Press Freedom Day.

A legislator outlines importance of informed law makers

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mutale Nalumango has stressed the need for well-informed parliamentarians to properly scrutinize and appreciate Government’s role in trade policy formulation, implementation and management

Ms. Nalumango noted that parliamentarians have a complementary role of ensuring accountability on the part of government on trade and policy issues.

She was speaking at a regional workshop on trade policy for Commonwealth parliamentarians in Southern Africa at Livingstone’s Zambezi Sun Hotel.

Ms. Nalumango says parliamentarians are an important link in ensuring the concerns and perspectives of society are upheld in Government.

And Commonwealth Secretariat, head of international trade and regional cooperation economic affairs division, Edwin Laurent says it is important parliament to be able to manage oversight of trade policy.

Mr. Laurent is optimistic that the seminar will empower parliamentarians in the commonwealth region to understand global technical issues and better able help government implement effective trade policies.

Meanwhile, CUTS International Acting Centre Coordinator, Simon Ng’ona noted that the seminar is important in engaging and creating linkages for the parliamentarians to appreciate trade policy issues, which are diverse and complicated.

ZAMBIAN FOOTBALL AT CROSSROADS AGAIN

Two factions of the Football Association executives are tomorrow expected to meet face to face at the organization’s reconvened Annual General (AGM) of 2011 at Kabwe’s Mulungushi University, Central Zambia amid security concerns.

The country’s football fraternity has been marred in confusion following the move by one faction to press for a vote of no-confidence in the current administration under, Kalusha Bwalya, 1988 African footballer of the year.

The confusion paralyzed the local league last year mid-way through the season, as some clubs boycotted marches saying the Bwalya executive was illegal following resignations of key committee members including the Vice President of the Association.

But in an interview with Our Correspondent in Lusaka, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President, Kalusha Bwalya has described this weekend’s reconvened Annual General, as ordinary.

Bwalya was however, quick to mention that preparations have progressed extremely well.

He is optimistic that football will reign supreme petty politics.

AND THE FA has remained resolute that its president, Kalusha Bwalya will chair this Saturday's reconvened annual general meeting, who is said to be at the centre controversy.

The association has also said it will not be compelled to publish a delegates' list, saying the verification process was already conducted with the concerned stakeholders prior to the aborted March 26 the move described by the interim committee, as illegal.

British envoy endorses PVT in Zambia’s election.

The British Government says it is not illegal to conduct the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) system in an election.

British High Commissioner to Zambia, Tom Carter says his Government is of the view that the system is used for independent verification of election results.

Mr. Carter says the ruling MMD in 2008 presidential elections benefited from the system but are now afraid of it.

He also said his Government is confident that Zambia’s general elections will be free and fair.

Mr. Carter said the international community is closely monitoring the tripartite elections in Zambia to make sure the polls would be free and fair.

He was commenting on the PVT debate, which has been criminalized by President Rupiah Banda’s government with some diplomats told to shut-up before they are deported to their countries.

Republican President, Rupiah Banda is yet to announce the election date.

INCREASING POLITICAL INTOLERANCE WORRIES KK

Zambia’s founding President; Kenneth Kaunda is saddened with increasing political intolerance in the country.

This comes in the wake of a ministerial directive by tourism minister, Catherine Namugala to cancel the unveiling of Dr. Kaunda’s statue at his pre-Independence house in Lusaka’s Chilenje Township.

This is because opposition populist leader, Michael Sata was to attend the ceremony over perceived political differences.

Dr. Kaunda lived in Old Chilenje House number 394 in Lusaka from January 1960 to December 1962.

Government has made the house into a national monument, a significant site that used to be a hive of political activities during the independence struggle.

Speaking at an impromptu ceremony, Dr. Kaunda said the behaviour of the duo defies efforts of a united Zambia under one Zambia, one nation.

He counseled the political leaders to embrace Christian values of loving each other at all times.

Dr. Kaunda called on Zambians to embrace the philosophy of “One Zambia One nation”
Dr. Kaunda said the function was historical because it reminded him of the country’s struggle for Independence and liberation in the Southern African region.

The function coincided with his 87 birthday celebrations, which fell yesterday.

BURIED AND FORGOTTEN

Zambia has officially failed to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Gabon Disaster, in which the entire national soccer team and officials perished off the coast of Gabon.

However, Football Association of Zambia-FAZ-President Kalusha Bwalya laid a wreath in his personal capacity on thursday at Heroes Acre at the Independence Stadium burial site.

The Association had earlier indicted that it will not take a lead role in the organization of the anniversary celebrations.

In a statement on its website FAZ disclosed that it will soon engage the families and stakeholders in the preparation of the 20th anniversary celebratory remembrance.

The families of the fallen heroes that perished off the coast of Gabon on their way to Senegal for a World Cup qualifier against that country have been demanding an official report from the Government for the last 18 years.

Only four of the families attended yesterday’s anniversary.