• INFORMATION and Broadcasting Services Minister Joseph Katema (left) with the ministry’s Press and media development director Isaac Chipampe (right), while behind them, are The Post Newspapers Limited proprietor Fred M’membe (in cap) and Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Bert Mushala (right).
This was after visiting The Post offices yesterday. Picture by CHUSA SICHONE

By KAIKO  NAMUSA –

INFORMATION and Broadcasting Services Minister Joseph Katema has urged the media in the country to regulate themselves professionally as the Government will not interfere in the operations of the industry.

Dr Katema, who toured The Post newspapers offices in Lusaka yesterday, praised the private media institution for establishing an Ombudsman’s office to provide a channel for recourse with members of the public.

“”Self regulation is very important and through the Ombudsman’s office, you have ensured that there is a channel of discourse with the people in case of grievances,” Dr Katema said. “This is a fruitful way to conduct business, especially in the media. The media fraternity should take a leaf from this.”

He said Press freedom should be balanced with responsibility in the manner media institutions covered issues but that loyalty to the Zambian people and the promotion of economic growth of the country should also be paramount.

Dr Katema congratulated The Post newspaper for clocking 23 years of media operations in Zambia and for being innovative to ensure expansion of the company’s business to, among others, local and international courier services.

“This is a story of its own. It is not easy for a newspaper company to remain afloat like you have done. Many companies close business but through hard work, commitment and innovativeness, you have managed to continue existing and creating job opportunities for our people,” he said.

Dr Katema expressed the Government’s commitment to promoting enhanced media freedom but that media houses themselves should take a lead role by ensuring they regulated themselves.

He said as a fourth estate, the media had a role to play in promoting the growth of the country.

Post Newspapers senior general manager Sheikh Chifuwe said as the newspaper company turned 23 years, it remained committed to the growth of the media industry in Zambia.

The minister was accompanied during the tour by his Permanent Secretary Bert Mushala, director of Press and media development, Isaac Chipampe and Zambia News and Information Services director Patrick Lungu.