Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Minister of Information and Media Chushi Kasanda says enhancing access to information is the core of the new dawn administration’s agenda, as it’s key in promoting transparency, good governance and the full participation of citizens in the democratic discourse of the country.
Ms Kasanda says the UPND Government is a proponent of media freedom and professionalism premised on statutory self regulation.
Speaking during the launch of the MISA Zambia state of the media report for the third quarter of 2021,Ms Kasanda, who was being represented by acting permanent secretary Nalituba Mwale,noted with concern that the report highlights a polarized media landscape during the election in which there was unbalanced coverage of political players between public and private media.
The Minister has called on the media to seriously introspect and ensure that they uphold professionalism at all times in their work.
Speaking earlier, MISA Zambia acting Chairperson Fr Barnabas Simatende expressed hope that the goodwill that government has shown will result into the access to information bill being enacted into law.
Fr Simatende says media freedom is of great importance to any functional democracy.