Govt dismisses conclusion by IPI on Post Newspapers closure

Chishimba Kambwili

Government has dismissed as deeply flawed the conclusion by the International Press Institute (IPI) that it instigated the closure of The Post newspapers to forestall criticism during the election period.

Former Information and Broadcasting Services Minister and Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says government takes great exception to the conclusion drawn by IPI.

In a statement issued to QFM today before the constitutional court ruling, Dr Kambwili says the conclusion recklessly injure efforts of the PF Government at further democratizing the Zambian space for all.

He says the case of The Post is and has always been between the Zambia Revenue Authority and the paper itself.

Dr Kambwili states that to suggest that The Post has been closed for fear of its critical reporting is to think too highly of the paper, stressing that the PF is not intimidated by the so-called critical reporting of The Post because much of them were manufactured versions of the truth.

He says while IPI report question President Edgar Lungu’s democratic credentials, it is under the PF Government that the 50-year struggle to give Zambia an Independent Broadcasting Authority has become a reality.

Dr Kambwili adds that President Lungu has on several occasions campaigned for a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum because he believes in deepening the country’s democratic roots and expanding its scope.