CHABINGA criticizes PF regime on Press Freedom suppression

By Rosemary Kamanga

Leader of the Opposition, ROBERT CHABINGA has condemned the former Patriotic Front administration for its human rights abuses and suppression of press freedom.

Mr. CHABINGA says the administration systematically silenced voices, targeting independent media outlets and opposition parties, particularly the United Party for National Development -UPND.

In an interview with ZNBC News, he noted the closure of critical media houses, such as Prime TV, and the harassment, intimidation, and arrest of journalists.

Mr. CHABINGA also said the PF administration exerted significant control over state-owned media outlets, ignoring or misrepresenting UPND’s messages.

He said such actions undermined democracy and created a climate of fear.

And Movement for Multi-Party Democracy -MMD- President NEVERS MUMBA said the party has firsthand experience of the PF’s brutality.

Dr. MUMBA has argued that comparing the human rights records of the PF and the current UPND government is essential to understanding the progress made.

He said the UPND’s record on human rights is many times better than the PF.