By RABECCA CHIPANTA –
THE Patriotic Front (PF) has saluted the media fraternity for diligently executing their duty in a professional manner.
PF Kitwe District information and publicity secretary Christopher Kang’ombe has further applauded both the private and public media for upholding professionalism.
The media fraternity is today joining other practitioners in commemorating World Press Freedom Day, under the theme ‘Access to information and fundamental freedom; this is your right’.
Mr Kang’ombe said in a statement yesterday that the PF valued the great role the media played in fostering sustainable national development.
“Governance under the current democratic dispensation cannot be effective if important information on national planning does not reach the masses. An example is the recently passed Constitution of Zambia amendment Bill, an important document that was signed into law by President Edgar Lungu in January, this year.
“The details of this piece of legislation have been made known to most Zambians, because the media has effectively captured this matter in many reported stories on governance,” he said.
He said the same issue-based reporting extended to the national budgeting process and disbursement of funds meant for wonderful and ambitious programmes such as the Link Zambia 8000, as well as the Copperbelt 400 Kilometres (C-400) roads projects, to be well covered by the media.
“Without the media, very few Zambians will appreciate such important national programmes that are being undertaken by Government on behalf of the people of Zambia. We salute your patriotism in this regard because, your reporting on such projects raises the profile of your great nation,” he said.
Mr Kang’ombe said the media in Zambia had also been relevant in raising awareness on matters of exposing corruption both in the private and public sectors.
He said as the country commemorated World Press Freedom Day, the party urged upcoming journalists to emulate those who served before them by remaining objective in their reporting.
“Zambia needs journalists that can demonstrate patriotism in their work. Patriotism should not just be a one off annual slogan, but a demonstration of your professional duty and obligation of factual and correct reporting that builds the nation and not destroying it,” he said.