The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has noted the significant role that the media play in exposing corruption cases.

ACC Director General, Thom Shamakamba, says the media plays the watchdog role in society and also helps to create public awareness against corruption.

Mr Shamakamba has noted that media personnel are therefore expected to be more proactive in sensitising the masses on what constitutes corruption.

“The media in Zambia is strategically placed in order to unearth all corrupt activities that take place in the country,” he states.

Mr Shamakamba said this when he opened a three-day media workshop for Northern Province based journalists in Kasama.

And ACC Director in Charge of Public Education, Dorothy Cheelo, challenged journalists to join efforts in fighting corruption.

He noted that the media should help to protect national resources and transform the mindset of the people of Zambia.

Ms Cheelo said fighting corruption requires a multisectoral approach to raise awareness of corruption practices and devise measures to be implemented to prevent them.

And ZANIS Northern Province Information Officer, Euphrasia Banda, urged the Commission to protect journalists who unearth corrupt practices in the country. 

Ms Banda noted that very few journalists follow up on cases of corruption because they fear being attacked.

“Journalists are found with people in power and have so many stories to investigate, but because they don’t have guaranteed protection, they shun pursuing them,” Ms Banda said.

She further thanked the Commission for imparting lifelong knowledge on the journalists.