State defends media boards

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 14:54:58 +0000

By BENNIE MUNDANDO

 THOSE complaining over the appointment of boards at the Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail are misguided because we were not looking at tribes but picked candidates on merit, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Kampamba Mulenga has said.

The Minister’s remarks come amid divergent views from some quarters of society with some accusing Government of tribalism.

But Ms. Mulenga, who is Chief Government spokesperson, dispelled the assertions as petty and ill-advised.

Ms. Mulenga said she was saddened with the current political scenario which had been invaded by arm-chair critics politicising everything government was doing.

 She said the issue of tribe never crossed the mind of those who were doing the selection but the capability and professional track records were what moved them to settle for the individuals that had made the final grade.

“We did not pick people from the streets because these are the people who are going to contribute positively to the growth of the two newspapers.

“We took long to appoint the boards because we wanted to bring new energy so that we obviously adapt into the turnaround strategy at both institutions,” Ms. Mulenga said.

She added: “We have brought people with a business, legal, and media background so that when they come together, we will have contributions from various avenues to revive the two institutions.

She also dismissed assertions that there was gender imbalance among board members as they were dominated by men and clarified that there was a balanced representation.

Government recently appointed boards for the two public print media institutions.