Former Lusaka Mayor Fisho Mwale has strongly condemned the closure of privately run Muvi TV, Komboni Radio and Itezhi Tezhi radio stations by the Independent Broadcasting Authority.
Mr Mwale who lost his bid for re-election as Lusaka Mayor in the August 11 2-016 elections said what the IBA did at this highly politically charged period was wrong.
He said the IBA has reversed the gains that Zambians have achieved in press freedom and robustness of the media environment.
Mr Mwale said in a statement that he does not subscribe to irresponsible journalism which he says should be self-regulated.
Below is Mr Mwale’s full statement.
IBA WAS WRONG.
Muvi TV is one of the best home-grown Media institutions in Zambia which has an African footprint we as Zambians should be proud of. I personally know Costa Mwansa, Steve Nyirenda, Mavuto and other progressive professionals at Muvi.
They are patriots. Komboni Radio as an innovative concept in Community radio broadcasting is an award winning media entity which is owned by Lesa Kasoma a young woman with an entrepreneurial spirit and determination which is iconic.
What IBA did at this highly politically charged period was wrong. By a stroke of a pen the IBA has reversed the gains that we Zambians have achieved in terms of freedom of the press and the Robustness of our media environment.
I do not subscribe to irresponsible journalism which I believe should be self-regulated. I do not subscribe to some of the gutter journalism that our Presidents have endured, from President Chiluba to MCC to RB to Levy and finally ECL.
Our Presidents have been vilified demonized ridiculed and insulted. But the mark of the depth of their humility has been their tolerance and their belief in a free Zambian society which will give unfettered expression of our diversity and freedom.
It’s a fact we have taken this freedom for granted at times. But it is also a fact that our culture our norms and values are self-regulatory. When enough is enough our own intrinsic values raise our morals and as the fair minded Zambians we protect ourselves and those being victimized.
What further attest to this than expression through the ballot box? Notwithstanding the insults innuendoes or “biased “reporting President Elect Edgar Lungu won the elections. My point is that ECL does not need the help of the IBA he is popular enough. It is these acts by overzealous functionaries which undermine our democratic processes and give politicians a bad name.
The timing of the IBA action is bad. Why couldn’t they wait till we resolved the issue of the petition? Why do they want Zambia to have a bad reputation on Press freedom? Whose interest are they serving? Muvi TV and Komboni Radio are examples of the resilience of Zambian entrepreneurship and am grateful to the IBA for exhibiting unprofessionalism at a time when Zambia needs peace and calm to resolve a matter before the ConCourt.
I beg, restore the status quo so that Muvi TV can provide alternative information and Komboni Radio can provide a cheap and affordable market place for vendors.
To those who might find them offensive use your remote control. We don’t need IBA to protect us we have our own nascent values of One Zambia, One Nation.
The love we have for our country and one another will never allow lies to mislead us. We are our own censors and regulators. Our politicians have thick skins and the small price you pay as a politician for the status and power is criticism. Let’s Go Zambia, Let’s Go!!!
Eyes on Zambia. The world is watching!!!!!!
Fisho
Lungu is from a compound called Chawama, doubt he even owned a TV before statehouse, used to watch one in a beerhall. What you saying is music to his hears.
Ignorant people are easy to rule. Give them a pack of lies (bible) and some truths they will follow you blindly. It always works.
I don’t think Edgar knows that his favorite show Mwene Mushi on Muvi TV will not be aired.
Muvi, The Post and all these radio stations are accessory to arson.
They cut off TV and radio stations so that people will not know what is happeing behind the scene!
Seems like the only way for the government to deliberately keep the people ignorant.
Ignorant people are easy to rule. Give the a pack of lies (bible) and some truths they will follow you blindly. It always works.
Tolerance. Check. Thick skin. Check. Press Freedom. Check. Control cadres. Check.
Three ticks that ED does not have on his to do list. The fourth is his guilty pleasure.
From what
Democracy is supposed to be rule of the people, by the people, and for the people. But in order to rule effectively, the people need political knowledge. If they know little or nothing about government, it becomes difficult to hold political leaders accountable for their performance. Unfortunately, public knowledge about politics is disturbingly low. The closure of radio and tv staions will make the people even more IGNORANT!
who is just the devil is fish mwale mweantu please?
Indeed Mr. Male being drinking buddies with your middle ages son is enough for me to understand your point of view here. It is true that IF LUNGU is considered the undisputed winner ilaftr the petition, he does not need any help to prove how popular he is with the masses. That said, why on earth is he now resorting to these dictatorial behaviors that we are all seeing today? Clearly, the chap is either hiding or just scared if something. We are watching. HH will be president soon.
on your dead body
*Mr. MWALE my apologies for typoling your name sir. We are at the bar.
The bible is now centre of Zambian culture. The people to whom it applys are always at war. It’s like going to a poor witch doctor to ask for wealth. You’re just Africans and the bible is not yours. Go to Greece and ask whether Zeus is your god.
It is the ZANU OF strategic move, nothing else. Keep them In their place ECL thinks! YABA!
The reason for closing Muvi TV was simple. Muvi TV was spreading false information that the votes were stolen from HH which every one knows is a lie there by agitating innocent people and making them brave enough to start unnecessary wars. Have you seen there is no noise in Namwala now the situation has cooled down after the alarming media reports stopped . Why do you want innocent people to be killing each other for no reason? Why should people kill themselves because HH or ECL sure!!!
PEOPLE, WE NEED THESE MEDIA FOR US TO BE UPDATED WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COUNTRY BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE SHOULD ABUSE THE LAW AND LETS NOT EVEN POLITICIZE THIS, WILL BE THE FIRST PEOPLE TO SAY OUR COUNTRY IS LAWLESS.
BUSHE IS IS INSULTING AND LYING FREEDOM OF SPEECH??? COSTER MWANSA IS IT ETHICAL THAT YOU ALLOW ALL SORTS OF INSULTS ON YOU STATION??? ni JOURNALISM YASHANI???PIPO HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW THE TRUTH NOMBA BU KACHEPA COSTA IS VERY WRONG.ELYO KU NAMWALA I DONT KNOW NGAMWALIYAKO.BUSHE BA PILATO NGABAISA KU STATION YENU MUKUTUKANA E FREEDOM OF SPEECH????YOU CAN GO TO RADION CHENGELO MUKUTUKANA OR SUN FM THEY EVEN CUT THE LINE NOMBA IMWE NINSHI MWATEMWA MULEONAULA ABANTU LELO BALETUKA LUNGU MAILO BAKATUKA ABOBENE MUCHITA SUPPORT .BA NYIRENDA,COSTA NINSHI YACHITIKA?????
I like Muvi and Komboni radio but Costa Mwansa overstepped his line, how can he allow his staff to broadcast falsehood and unsubstantiated news with impunity to the extent of forgetting IBA rules.Anyway the power of money at work.Mr S.Nyirenda go to the drawing board, remove bad eggs from your Tv station and engage IBA by drafting your resolutions. Remember its your business and your family at stake workers can run away and join others.
@ the engineer, visit chawama I think you’ve an odd picture of it.
Cool down people, it’s only a suspension to keep the alarmists quiet until the situation improves. Do not panic Fisho artificial…
tulanganako chabe, time will tell.
Kaunda was like that at some point and people showed him his place ! Komboni Radion/Muvi TV/IIR are being persecuted for reporting without prejudice. Dead NBC is a state owned media house whose first three to four lines of news headline is all about Lungu & PF as at now and this is boring we want to hear issue based news and not praises [Lungu is not god]we are being subjected to him and god is watching , one of these days god’s wrath will be on those persecuting his people !
We are old enough to remember what transpired in RWANDA. Press freedom this and press freedom that never saved the 2 million souls that were butchered therein. We should just salute the authorities for once. MUVI should just apologise and they will be listened to. Since 1964 we have lived freely until MUVI started their vibes in 2014/15 Presidential election.
If they can attack Given Lubinda who articulates very well in their language how about you FISHO MWALE?