Government says the Media plays a vital role in the dissemination of information in the country.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Ngosa Chisupa said there is need to enhance the dissemination of information in the country because it helps the public to make informed decisions.
Mr Chisupa was speaking in Lusaka today after a familiarizations tour of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).
He said government will continue providing a conducive environment in terms of policy and discharging of the duties of ZNBC.
Mr. Chisupa urged ZNBC to utilise the “support to media institutions” public funds that have been set aside for improving the quality of the media in the country.
He said there is need to for partnerships in helping the corporation in the process of digital migration by 2015.
And ZNBC Director General Juliana Mwila said the corporation has an establishment of 502 employees but currently has 441 including those for TV2.
Ms. Mwila said 80 percent of its income is sourced from advertising and 20 percent is sourced from government and other sources.
She called for increased allocation of resources to the corporation, saying the survival of the media depends much on resources.
Ms. Mwila revealed that US 13 million dollars is needed for the corporation to facilitate the digital migration programme.
ZANIS
Its better not to fund this MMD tv station, money should instead be channeled to clinics and schools.
Iwe Chi Na Mwila, ulichipumbu, ayi? Where is TV license, is it govt? We ule iwe! ZNBC gets the majority of its funding from TV license, not govt! After intro of Better TV, ZNBC rejuvenated! Dont b.itch around with words if you r sleeping with these politicians. Tell the buggers the damn truth even if it hurts! Pluck some courage, instead of trying to keep your not so well paying job. Its a fact that most women if not all at ZNBC sleep with govt officials, ministers and other high profile people.
“Media vital in information dissemination”
Ka Ngosa Chisupa, why dont you go and tell this to your Minister Ronnie and VP Kunda. All the time they want to stiffle media freedom. We will be free and you will not kill us even if you introdunce drageon laws and dictactorship!