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Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged Journalists in Africa to take a lead in projecting a positive picture of the continent.
ZNBC’s Mwila Nsofu reports thatMr Kenyatta says the media must change the perception that Africa always has negative stories.
He says this can be done by journalists reporting the truth, and accurately.
Mr Kenyatta was speaking when he officiated at this year’s CNN Multi-Choice African Journalist Award ceremony in Nairobi Kenya.
He says Africa must not always be looked as a dependant on aid and charity, but is the world’s fastest growing economy powered by radical transformation in technology with billions of dollars of investment in infrastructure.
Mr Kenyatta says innovation, resilience and sacrifice of Africans can uplift millions of the people from poverty.
And, speaking earlier, Multi-Choice Africa, chief executive officer Tim Jacobs praised all the winner for their works and images that reflect the reality of Africa.
During the ceremony, Burkinabé journalist, Hyacinthe Sanou was awarded the top prize at this year’s CNN Multi-Choice African Journalist for the year 2015 Awards Ceremony.
And, Sanou says he is happy to have won the award BUT that all the finalists are winners.
About 40 journalists from Zambia entered the awards but none was nominated.
However, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation –ZNBC -Reporter Pennipher Nyirenda is one of the journalists that entered the awards whose works were recognised by the judges.
Meanwhile, Information Deputy Minister Forrie Tembo says government will endeavor to provide funding and equipment for journalists to compete favorably at international awards.
Mr. Tembo however stressed the need for journalists to focus on investigative and issue based stories.
Mr Tembo was speaking in an interview with journalists shortly after the CNN Multi Choice African Journalist of the Year awards ceremony in Kenya.
Meanwhile , Multi-Choice Zambia Acting Managing Director Ngoza Matakala pledged to work with journalists in Zambia to sharp their skills.
Ms Matakala says Zambian journalist have the potential to win international awards , all it takes is the media personnel pushing in more entries.
Mr Tembo was among other Ministers of Information invited to witness the crowning of the winner during the ceremony.
He is accompanied to Kenya by Information Permanent Secretary Godfrey Malama, Director Media Development Isaac Chipampe, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and MultiChoice Zambia Board Chairperson Dr John Mulwila, ZNBC director general Richard Mwanza and MultiChoice Zambia Acting general manager Ngoza Matakala.
ZNBC
The challenge with our African journalists is that they believe that democracy and freedom of expression is telling lies and insulting the leaders and siding with oppositon leaders even if some of them are not sensible.