THE Media Liaison Committee (MLC) has accused the Swedish Embassy of sponsoring confusion in the Zambian media by funding a rival march during the World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Lusaka.
According to a statement issued by MLC chairperson Felistus Chipako, the Swedish Embassy sponsored a march that was opposed to statutory media self-regulation, which was contradictory to the stance taken by the Zambian media fraternity.
The MLC claimed that the Swedish Embassy’s actions were divisive and aimed at creating chaos in the media sector.
The committee stated that it had always been open to internal discussions within the media sector on the Zambia Institute of Journalism Bill, but was opposed to foreign-sponsored divisions.
The MLC also accused BBC Media Action, led by its Country Director Soren Johansen, of engaging in inimical media activities that were weakening established media organizations and diverting media support funds from donor agencies.
The committee stated that it would be writing to the Swedish Government and the Zambian Foreign Affairs Minister to take note of the foreign-sponsored divisions and chaos in the Zambian media.
In a separate statement, the Zambia Media Women Association (ZAMWA) clarified that the media fraternity was united in its desire for self-regulation, and that the Zambia Institute of Journalists Bill was aimed at establishing a professional body to manage the affairs of journalists.
ZAMWA secretary Mwazi Sakala stated that the association was part of the MLC and was committed to ensuring that the voices of its members were heard in the conversation on media regulation.
