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Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary (PS) Bert Mushala has expressed displeasure that rural based journalists were not highlighting stories on Zambia’s golden jubilee.
Zambia will this year celebrate its golden jubilee under the theme” Commemorating God’s favour of Zambia’s 50 year of independence for continued peace, unity, democracy, patriotism and prosperity”. Zambia attained her independence in 1964 and turns 50 years old on October 24, this year.
Mr. Mushala said it was important for people especially in rural areas to know about their country in terms of art, history, culture, geography, heroes and heroines, events and places that shaped the political pre-independence struggle through the media as a fourth estate.
Mr. Mushala, who is also Golden Jubilee Publicity Sub-Committee Chairperson, said this in Lusaka today when he opened a one day golden jubilee celebration orientation media workshop.
“We are not hearing much from you journalists in rural areas. What is happening? Help us you the media to make our country known as you know that 2014 is an important year when we are commemorating the golden jubilee,” Mr. Mushala said.
He disclosed that government has placed high premium on the jubilee by opening up the airwaves and gave licenses to 70 community and commercial radio stations and over 10 television stations countrywide.
Mr. Mushala further disclosed that government has lined up various activities ahead of the jubilee celebrations.
He has since challenged the journalists in rural areas to rise to the occasion by writing stories based on the 50th anniversary and beyond, including Zambia’s standing in the world and that it is a haven of peace.
He said the workshop has come at a right time when preparations of the golden jubilee celebrations have intensified countrywide.
“As you go back to your respective stations, l look forward to seeing more news and feature articles, documentaries, discussion programmes as well as other informative products on the golden jubilee for the benefit of the Zambian people,” he said.
And speaking earlier, ZANIS Director Patrick Lungu challenged the scribes to scale up the jubilee activities since time was running out.
Mr. Lungu said the stakeholders are ready to be interviewed hence the onus remained on the media personnel to embrace the common cause.
The one day workshop has attracted zanies Provincial and District Information Officers from across the country, officials from Zambia Tourism Board, National Heritage Conservation Commission, National Archives and National Assembly of Zambia.
Three other participants are from Mano Community radio station in Kasama, Chengelo radio station in the Copperbelt province and Kasempa radio station in North-western province.
