.KATEMA

By NAKUBIANA SHABONGO –

BUSINESS and economic reporting remains largely under-developed and under-appreciated among the media fraternity in the country, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Joseph Katema has said.
Dr Katema said at the Partners Guide Young Zambian Business journalist Award of the year launch in Lusaka yesterday that this could be attributed to lack of specialisation and misplaced priorities in the media’s information dissemination agenda.
He said Government was concerned with the media’s appetite for political issues at the expense of more urgent and important issues of the economy and other developmental projects that put food on people’s tables.
Dr Katema noted that most news headlines on most media platforms were saturated with political rhetoric that added no value to people’s living standards.
“I ought to stress here that this Government is not interested in politicking. This Government was elected into office with a clear and precise mandate to deliver development to the people of Zambia.
“It is unfortunate that business and economic reporting has remained largely under-developed and under-appreciated among the media fraternity in the country,” he said.
He further urged the media in the country to re-define and re-align its reportorial and editorial priorities by according business and other economic and developmental issues.
Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Forrie Tembo said there was need to encourage youths to participate in business and economic solutions to unlock economic development of the country.
Mr Tembo said youths had innovative and progressive ideas in business and developing the economy.
“It will be interesting to know how this innovation will create a benchmark for excellence in the business industry in Zambia, which can only help to improve and grow our economy and make it more attractive for foreign investment,” he said.
Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Lena Nordstrom called on the media to analyse business and economic stories when reporting.
Partners group Commercial director Ray Willbern said the media must report business and economic issues as it would be easy for foreign investors to invest in the country.
Mr Willbern said investors needed more information, analysis and more statistics on financial markets, financial instruments, governance and policy issues and regulatory challenges in the country.