(MISA/IFEX) – On 15 May 2001, the Inter-African Network for Human Rights and Development (AFRONET), a non-governmental human rights organisation, complained about lack of coverage of its activities by the state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), which it attributed to a “decisive scheme” to black it out. AFRONET Executive Director Ngande Mwanajiti said in a […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 15 May 2001, the Inter-African Network for Human Rights and Development (AFRONET), a non-governmental human rights organisation, complained about lack of coverage of its activities by the state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), which it attributed to a “decisive scheme” to black it out.
AFRONET Executive Director Ngande Mwanajiti said in a letter to ZNBC Acting Director of Programmes Mwansa Kapeya, which was published in the press, that his organisation had observed a pattern of ZNBC ignoring AFRONET material such as press statements and press conferences.
He complained that this action was in contravention of the ZNBC Act and the constitution, both of which encourage the free flow of information and ideas, regardless of who originates that information. Mwanajiti issued a veiled warning of legal action if a satisfactory answer was not forthcoming from ZNBC.
When contacted for comment, ZNBC public relations manager Ben Kangwa said his organisation had received the letter from AFRONET which was being studied before a reply could be made. However, he regretted that AFRONET had decided to publish what was a supposedly private letter in the press before ZNBC had had the opportunity to reply to it.
AFRONET is a vocal non-governmental organisation, which has frequently clashed with the government over human rights and good governance issues.
