By Francis Chipalo
Former Patriotic Front (PF) media director Sunday Chanda has called for reforms at the national broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).
And Chanda who is also Kanchibiya member of parliament observes that the ongoing crisis at the institution presents an opportunity, not for blame, but for bold reforms.
Chanda states that ZNBC can learn lessons from South Africa’s SABC which had undergone reforms having faced similar challenges at Zambia’s public broadcaster.
Chanda says at the heart of SABC’s recent reforms was the strengthening of its board and management from political interference, among others.
Among the reforms, Chanda proposes that ZNBC requires an empowered and independent board with appointments based on competence and integrity, as opposed to partisan loyalty.
He further suggests that prioritizing local content and broadcasting in multiple indigenous languages, as well as investing in local cultural content can help ZNBC to restore public relevance.
Chanda says, instead of placing itself as a government mouthpiece, ZNBC’s future lies not in perpetual government bailouts or hollow slogans, but in reforms that prioritizes the public good as in the case of SABC.
“If we want a broadcaster that informs without bias, educates without propaganda, and entertains with purpose, we must rebuild ZNBC with bold structural, financial and content reforms,” read a statement on his Facebook page.
ZNBC has in recent pasts faced operational challenges which includes, financial and political interference from the ruling party, and thereby, placing itself as a government mouthpiece despite having the potential of running as an independent broadcaster successfully.