Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa has commended the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) board for their efforts since assuming office two years ago.
Mr Mweetwa said government is aware of the many outstanding challenges faced by ZNBC which includes the conditions of service.
He charged that the repeal and replacement of the ZNBC Act chapter 154 of the laws of Zambia will position the corporation as a Public broadcaster and not State broadcaster.
“Through the repeal and replacement of the ZNBC Act, it should be good that ZNBC will be a public broadcaster so as to be autonomous, also to have greater financial autonomy in exploring areas that will expand the corporation in line with its mandate,” he said.
He further stated that the repeal and replacement of the ZNBC Act will offer an opportunity to enhance accountability and transparency at ZNBC for a better society.
Mr Mweetwa was speaking this morning when the ZNBC board led by their board chairperson Joseph Kazhila paid a courtesy call on him at his office.
He has also observed that there is an increase of propaganda on the part of citizens and some political stakeholders.
“We have observed an increase on the part of our citizens to engage in propaganda. ZNBC must step up and counter this propaganda by reporting facts and the truth. Propaganda coming from some political stakeholders has the ability to negatively affect decision making of the citizenry,” he said.
He pointed out that ZNBC should invest more in investigative journalism because the state of the nation’ governance, democracy and progress is as good as the state of the media, as the media can foster progress or regress progress.
“Government wants ZNBC to expand its horizons because the credibility of ZNBC is unquestionable,” he added.
He was delighted to disclose that funds have been set aside under the 2024 budget for the completion of Provincial Studios as well as the disbursement of funds to StarTimes over works done such as digital migration.
“Expanded media infrastructure will create more platforms for citizens to participate,” he added.
Meanwhile, ZNBC board chairperson Joseph Kazhila highlighted challenges and achievements by the board since assuming office.
Mr Kazhila cited debt as a huge challenge to the corporation despite several achievements and appealed to government for a grant to cushion the debt that ZNBC has.
