Fr. Bwalya accuses ZNBC of doing propaganda for UPND

Frank-Bwalya has announced that his party will boycott the celebrations

Fr. Frank Bwalya has accused ZNBC of doing propaganda for the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).

Fr Bwalya who heads an opposition party called Alliance for Better Zambia and has endorsed the candidature of Edgar Lungu in the forthcoming Presidential elections says it is sad that the National Broadcaster is now used to spread lies and propaganda.

“The truth of the matter is that ZNBC has been championing the agenda of a specific political party which has been receiving positive and extended coverage. This development has been a source of concern to many Zambians. However, we are more worried now to see that ZNBC is even becoming a tool for spreading partisan propaganda and lies.,” Fr. Bwalya said.

Below is the letter Fr. Bwalya wrote to ZNBC Board Chairman and availed it to Zambian Eye.

December 3, 2014.

The Chairperson
ZNBC Board
Mass Media Complex
LUSAKA

Dear Dr. John Mulwila SC,

RE: ZNBC BEING USED FOR PARTISAN PROPAGANDA

I write to you to protest against using ZNBC as a tool for partisan propaganda.
On Wednesday December 3, 2014 ZNBC Radio 4 main English news bulletin carried a story alleging that Mr Henry Kanyanta Sosala had blessed and endorsed United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Mr. Hakainde Hichilema. The said news item went further to report that Mr. Henry Kanyanta Sosala who is Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people became the second chief in Zambia to endorse Mr. Hichilema.
Since a recent similar story of Chitimukulu endorsing Mr. Hichilema was dismissed by Bashilubemba as a total fabrication, I decided to phone a few people that were in the meeting when Mr.Hichilema and his party officials met Chitmukulu on the evening of Tuesday, December 2, 2014. The people I called convinced me that there was no such undertaking as endorsing Mr.Hichilema. I am reliably informed that Mr.Hichilema asked to be blessed and Chitimukulu gladly blessed him the same way anyone seeking the blessing of MwineLubemba would be blessed and that there was nothing, not even faintly, to suggest an endorsement of the candidature of Mr.Hichilema.
The truth of the matter is that ZNBC has been championing the agenda of a specific political party which has been receiving positive and extended coverage. This development has been a source of concern to many Zambians. However, we are more worried now to see that ZNBC is even becoming a tool for spreading partisan propaganda and lies.
It is not necessary for me to remind you about the role of ZNBC as a state broadcaster. Moreover, the obligation by ZNBC to cover all political parties in a fair and balanced manner can’t be over-emphasized.
As such, I appeal to you and your board to save our national broadcaster from being used to champion partisan interests let alone being used as a propaganda tool by one political party.
It is my hope that this matter will receive serious consideration by your board.

Yours faithfully,

Fr. Frank Bwalya
ABZ LEADER

CC: The Minister of Information and broadcasting Services
CC: The Chairperson – Electoral Commission of Zambia
CC: The Director General – ZNBC
CC: Media