FLS, which has never been critical of the government, is against the widely-read newspaper that has been criticizing the government on various issues. FLS executive director, Edwin Lifwekelo, who was contributing to a Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC)s phone in programme, accused the newspaper of misleading the citizenry by what he said was unfair and unbalanced coverage of political parties.
Lifwekelo told Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) that The post newspaper has shifted its editorial policy in support of the Patriotic Front (PF), which is one of the main opposition political parties in the country, and its president Michael Sata.
The Post newspaper has taken it upon itself to cover only the PF and President Sata, and this stance is very dangerous especially as the country heads towards the tripartite elections. Why then should Government continue advertising in such a paper, I therefore, ask the government to stop advertising in The Post and ban people from buying it, said Lifwekelo. He said the newspaper was capable of fanning civil disorder, adding that the government should quickly stop the daily tabloid from further misleading the public by banning its purchase.
Post newspaper Managing Editor, Amos Malupenda, said in response that it was ironic that while Lifwekelo was calling for a government boycott of The Post newspaper, he was one of its most ardent readers. Zambia Union of Journalists (ZUJ) President Anthony Mulowa said NGOs should desist from attacking media institutions in the country, a situation he said makes the operations of the media difficulty.
Mulowa also appealed to media houses to respect and abide by the journalism ethical and professional code of conduct, which he said was the mirror that guides the operations of media practitioners.It is important for media houses not to depart from the ethical and professional code of conduct. This should be our mirror and guide, he said.
MISA Zambia position
MISA-Zambia Chairperson Daniel Sikazwe expressed concern with Lifwekelos call for the government to withdraw its advertisement and ban the purchase of The Post newspaper. Sikazwe said the organization should appreciate the role the media plays in the overall development process of the country, adding that calling for the newspapers ban was not the best way to air grievances against the media.
The act of calling the government to ban or stop buying the paper was not the best way to handle issues if aggrieved by the media. These NGOs should appreciate the critical role the media play in the development of the country, said Sikazwe.
Meanwhile, Media Liaison Committee spokesperson Amos Chanda said the call for government to ban the newspaper was violation of the Zambian constitution. Chanda, who is also Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) vice-president said Article 20 of Zambian Constitution is against Lifwekelos call, adding that the government has rights to continue advertising through the newspaper or not.
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