APOLOGISE MUNALI MP MUMBI TOLD - ZUJ

The media fraternity in Zambia has reacted sharply to claims by Munali Member of Parliament (MP) Mumbi Phiri referring workers in the public media as dogs for Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Ronnie Shikapwasha.

The media has demanded that Mrs. Mumbi apologises to the media fraternity for her insults attributed to Journalists.

Zambia Union of Journalists General Secretary (ZUJ-GS) Angela Chishimba warned Mrs. Mumbi to desist from issuing such insulting statements.

Munali Member of Parliament (MP) Mumbi Phiri

Ms. Chishimba said the Union is deeply saddened by reports from the MP referring Journalists working in the public media as “dogs”.

In a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Ms. Chishimba, an employee of the Zambia Daily Mail urged its members to continue working professionally, without fear or favour.

Ms. Chishimba says the she does not expect such disgusting statements coming from political leaders who want to assume office who the same personnel who will serve them if by any chance, they assumed office.

“We demand that Mrs. Mumbi apologises to the media fraternity for the insults attributed to Journalists. As ZUJ, we would like to state that our members will continue working professionally, without fear or favour.

The ZUJ-GS said if Mrs. Mumbi had any complaint against any of our members, she should have used proper channels to communicate her displeasure,” Ms. Chishimba said.

She said as far as the Union is concerned, no complaint has been lodged and therefore it takes great exception to that statement.

And some Journalists talked too by ZANIS in separate interviews threatened to ‘blackmail’ the Munali MP for her horrific remarks.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one Lusaka based Journalist reminded Ms. Mumbi that the media is the fourth estate in the country that has the powers to build and destroy one’s character

Another Journalist from the Copperbelt province described the remarks as unfortunate saying parliamentarians and members of the press were supposed to be partners to national development.

ZANIS