(MISA/IFEX) – On 9 June 2000, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Newstead Zimba announced the dissolution of the boards of all the state-owned publishing and broadcasting companies, reports the “Times of Zambia”. Those affected were Times Printpak, which publishes the newspaper “Times of Zambia”, Zambia Daily Mail, which publishes the newspaper “Zambia Daily Mail”, Zambia […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 9 June 2000, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Newstead Zimba announced the dissolution of the boards of all the state-owned publishing and broadcasting companies, reports the “Times of Zambia”.
Those affected were Times Printpak, which publishes the newspaper “Times of Zambia”, Zambia Daily Mail, which publishes the newspaper “Zambia Daily Mail”, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation and Zambia Printing Company.
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But in a surprise move, Zimba also announced the dissolution of the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication Trustâs (ZAMCOM) board. ZAMCOM is an autonomous journalism education trust which was separated from the government in 1997.
The “Times of Zambia” quoted Zimba as saying that cabinet had approved the names of the incoming board members, who would be announced soon. “I take this opportunity to announce that all media boards have been dissolved and shortly, I will be announcing new names approved by the ministry⦠We’ve chosen men and women of integrity⦔ he was quoted as saying.
The Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) and the Zambia Union of Journalists, both of whose members are drawn mainly from the state-owned media, welcomed Zimba’s announcement. PAZA president Hicks Sikazwe said the decision to dissolve the boards was “long overdue”, and urged the minister to reorganise the management of the institutions as well.
“We agree with the minister that some of the boards have not done well. If anything, they have contributed to the sorry sight of the media. It has always been the feeling of the association that the media has not lived up to the demands of democracy, in line with the political rebirth of 1991,” Sikazwe said.
Reacting to the purported dissolution of the ZAMCOM board, Zambia Independent Media Association (ZIMA) chairperson David Simpson, who is also a ZAMCOM board member, said in a statement that he was “puzzled” by the announcement.
“ZIMA reminds the minister that ZAMCOM has legally been an independent educational trust since 15 January 1997. It does not fall under his ministry and he has no powers to dissolve the board of trustees,” he said. “This may be a simple mistake on the part of the minister, but it has the unfortunate effect of intimidating and embarrassing the trustees, and making them feel insecure. We expect the minister to drop his evasive reactions to ZIMA’s enquiries and issue a definitive clarification of the government’s position on this issue, to avoid suspicions that it may be attempting to undermine the law and repossess this independent media institution.”
