HH advises media houses to diversify

By Sharon Siame

President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA has called on Media Houses to operate as businesses and diversify in the wake of challenges brought about by the energy crisis.

President HICHILEMA says that there are solutions to the energy crisis and that the crisis should NOT hamper media operations.

He says commercial banks have been requested by the Bank of Zambia to put in place a special fund to support business houses invest in the energy sector and help resolve power deficits in the country.

President HICHILEMA said this when he officially opened the Media Owners Association of Zambia Annual General Meeting in Lusaka today.

And, Acting Media and Information Minister PRINCESS KASUNE said the New Dawn Administration is dedicated to ensuring that the Media operates in a transparent manner.

Meanwhile, Media Owners Association of Zambia President COSTA appealed to the Government to assist the Media Houses who are on the brink of collapsing owing to the reduction in revenue generation due to load shedding.

And Honorary Chairman of the Media Owners Association of UGANDA KIN KARIISA said that there is a need for a credible media to verify disinformation peddled in the social media and called for regulation of mushrooming bloggers.

Others who spoke during the event are Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy LINNISA WAHID and US Open Spaces Chief of Party Internews TELDAH MAWARIRE.

Ms. WAHID said that Zambia has made commendable strides in creating an enabling environment for the media.

And, Ms. MAWARIRE said that US Open Spaces is committed to partnering with the Media even in the midst of challenges.