Media criticism of Zambian president angers supporters: official
A Zambian minister on Friday hit out at the country's press, saying that media criticism of President Rupiah Banda angered supporters, following a recent attack on three journalists.
"The media is creating a perception that President Banda is an enemy of the people and this brings about anger among our sympathisers," Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha told parliament.
"How do you expect the party members not to react when their leader is being insulted every day," he asked, pointing to the independent Post newspaper.
Shikapwasha was responding to the recent alleged beating of three journalists by a ruling party official.
"Government condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on journalists and we say these attacks are criminal, unacceptable and uncalled for," he said.
Two of the reporters are from the privately owned Post -- a newspaper critical of Banda -- and the other is a photographer from the government-controlled Times of Zambia.
A senior official from Banda's party pleaded not guilty to two counts of beating and causing bodily harm in court on Thursday. The case resumes on August 18.
The Post's news editor currently faces charges of circulating pornography.
Chansa Kabwela was arrested last month after she sent a senior official unpublished pictures of a woman giving birth without medical help to highlight healthcare issues.
-
NextAid - Sustainable Solutions for AIDS Orphans in Africa NextAid is a Los Angeles based... Read Full Story »
