By JOHN SAKALA
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Copperbelt chairperson Chipoka Mulenga says the harassment of Prime TV by Secretary General of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) is unacceptable.
Mr Mulenga said PF Secretary General Davies Mwila must learn to control his emotions especially when in public and especially when dealing the press.
He said Mr Mwila’s position is that which can either inspire or attract resentment by political hopefuls.
“It’s extremely lamentable that the ruling party, PF, is at the centre of harassing media practitioners just because they have balanced coverage. Prime TV, along with other private media houses have been covering all developments in the country without bias, fear and favour.
“They cover the opposition political parties as well as the ruling. They cover all the little available success of the PF and its entire failure to fulfill campaign promises. However, the truth doesn’t settle well with PF that are used with praise songs from ZNBC,” he said.
Mr Chipoka reminded PF that Freedom of press is the Oxygen of Democracy and key to National development and freedom of expression in any well-meaning society.
He said PF must realize that media is critical in growing democracy and reaching out to the nation even in the remotest undeveloped corners of the country.
“As NDC on the Copperbelt, we ask the PF Secretary General to unconditionally withdraw his tirades and apologies to the entire media fraternity. Very soon, PF will need Prime TV when they leave government in 2021, even while they are enjoying the instruments of power, they must realize that most views are glued to public media than state/ Chines owned ZNBC.
“As NDC on the Copperbelt, we further encourage the media houses never to be intimidated or compromise in the duties they swore to discharge,” he said.
