STATE OF THE MEDIA REPORT QUARTER 4, 2020 Debating the estimates of expenditure for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting budget that stood at K46 million, Siliya refuted assertions that government had been intolerant to the independent media. “Media houses are managed the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and the IBA are the ones who are responsible for licensing. So the minister in person and in deed government is not responsible for licensing. The people who provided the law for licensing of Prime TV or any media house in this country is this house. And when a media house is non complaint, the IBA can only do what they were asked to by the members of parliament. So for somebody to accuse, whether it is the minister in person or government that we closed an institution is total fabrication because those laws are made by members of parliament. I hope that we can put this matter to rest. This goes to the Post as well that it is an issue of compliance to issues of tax,” argued Siliya. “The Ministry is not about ZNBC, it is not about us politicians, it is about the 17 million Zambians. This government has committed itself to media pluralism ensuring that over 120 radio stations are licensed, over 40 Television are licensed in this country. Over 10 newspapers, you can take your pick……whether it is the diggers, the Mast, Times of Zambia, Daily Nation and Online. The Government has been extremely tolerant unlike on other jurisdictions that Zambians should express themselves. So I don’t know who you can accuse the government of being heavy –handed. And contributing to the debate, Kampyongo and his ministry was working to ensure that it created and enabling environment for media practitioners. “It is evident that the Ministry has broadened itself in terms of the institution that has been established to entertain our citizens. And you can tell by looking at the number of radio and television stations that have dotted across the country. I just want to say that our people have got their rights express themselves, but also to understand that there is no such thing as absolute freedom. Every freedom must be expressed within the confines of the law. Those that have got the responsibility to allow people to express themselves must make sure that those allow to voice out are voicing within the confines of the law, you can’t just wake up to go on a platform and starting demeaning, insulting the office of the President. P a g e 45 | 56