By NCHIMUNYA MIYOBA
About 100 former National Democratic Congress (NDC) party members have defected to the ruling Patriotic Front PF party saying they were hungry in NDC.
Receiving the defectors during an interactive meeting with the PF social media bloggers held at Roadview Hotel in Kitwe yesterday, PF Provincial chairperson Nathan Chanda urged the new members to work with the party especially now that the party is preparing for 2021 general elections.
Mr Chanda informed the gathering that he was optimistic that the NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili and others who are still in the NDC will soon rejoin the ruling party hence there is need to welcome the former NDC well as they prepare to welcome its leader.
“All members are expected to go all out and mobilize for the party in preparation for the next year’s elections. We need to welcome all our friends who left the party as prepare to welcome the NDC when he comes back,” he said.
Mr Chanda well-coordinated empower. Won’t work with selfish individuals who just want to benefit themselves.
He urged members to use the media positively rather than using the media to spread hate speech and propaganda.
And the provincial chairperson assured the media of the party protection during assignments more especially during Presidential assignments.
Mr Chanda said no journalists will be harassed during the party assignments as long as they work as professionals while upholding ethics.
And Bwana Mkubwa Member of Parliament Jonas Chanda echoed the need for the media to uphold media ethics as they report on issues.
Mr Chanda said it time for to the start reporting on fact based issues that build the nation and not destroy.
“The media has a huge responsibility in any democracy. The media should not be used for propaganda as they can used to build or destroy a nation. This is why we are saying that they need to be ethical in there reporting,” he said.
Mr Chanda said irresponsible reporting can led to what happened in Rwanda where one million people died due the negligence of the media.
Speaking at the same function, suspended Kitwe NDC chair lady Edith Chulu who was one of the defectors said she decided to join the PF because of the many developmental programs that the party has embarked on.
During the same meeting it was resolved that there was need for the party in the province to form a Provincial information team that will disseminate valid information to masses.
They resolved to defend the party and its presidency and use social media as a tool to mobilize the party.
They resolved to respect journalists coming from different media houses and reserve a section for them during party functions.
All blogs created for the election purposes to be converted into one PF blog to avoid different agendas.
