HH stands up for press freedom

Police keeping vigil outside Komboni Radio, one of the closed private media houses

Zambia’s main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated his demand for the immediate reopening of the closed private media houses, namely the Post Newspaper, Muvi TV, Komboni Radio, and Radio Itezhi Tezhi.

Hichilema argues that a free and vibrant press is an essential part of any democracy as it affords citizens an opportunity express themselves as well as get valuable information for them to make critical decisions an must therefore be embraced  not suppressed, as is increasingly the trend under the Patriotic Front (PF).

The united Party for National Development (UPND) strongman wondered what the PF government is afraid of for them close down the largest privately-owned media institutions in the country

“A Government that is open, transparent and has the best intentions of its citizens at heart should have nothing to fear from an independent press, and should in fact welcome such channels as a healthy forum for debate, information sharing and the exchange of opinions. This is especially important given current tensions, and is fundamental to their successful and peaceful resolution,” Hichilema said.

He further took a swipe at the public media houses such as ZNBC, Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail, describing them as tools of oppression and avenues for spreading hate speech.

“Under the PF we have seen publicly funded media houses used as tools of oppression and channels for hate speech, while independent broadcasters and newspapers are threatened and closed down. The recurrent question has now become who will the PF try to silence next? That is why we are standing our ground and asking people to unite and speak out for one another now, before it is too late.

“The press does not exist to serve the PF’s interests, but those of Zambian citizens. That is why they must be allowed to resume operation without delay.”