MATAMBO MEETS NDOLA JOURNALISTS
By ZANIS:
Copperbelt Province Minister, Elisha Matambo has called for an independent media across the province as a fulfillment of President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for a free media.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Matambo said government acknowledges the significant role the media plays and that, he will work closely with all media houses in the province to ensure a win -win situation on cross cutting issues affecting the people.
Mr. Matambo said when he met various heads of media houses in Ndola district that he will at no time interfere with the operations of the media but maintain his lane as a politician.
He said he will respect the operations of the media as that is the only way the fourth estate will be allowed to offer checks and balances.
The Minister has also challenged public media houses not to sugar-coat stories when reporting on matters of governance but report factually.
Mr. Matambo said the media should feel free to report on every matter including negative ones because that is the only way government will get real information as obtaining on the ground.
He, however, emphasised that media should not be sensational with a view to bring down certain individuals adding that news should be balanced.
And Mr. Matambo said his office will, where possible be able to attend to the main challenges affecting the media in the region.
Meanwhile, Media houses shared their experiences and expectations calling on the minister to accommodate everyone be it from private or public media.
ZANIS’ staffer Priscilla Simukoko said the media in the province are ready to diligently offer checks and balances as well as interpreting various government policies and programmes.
Mrs. Simukoko highlighted to the minister that one of the major challenges media houses in the province are faced with is transport which should be addressed.
Meanwhile, Charles Tembo from the Mast newspaper called on the Minister to ensure both private and public media are involved in coverage of state functions.
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