Media is Key to Social Accountability in Zambia – East CSPR
| By Staff Reporter
Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) in Eastern Province says the media is key to social accountability to the function of democracy. In a statement to NewsdayZambia.com this morning, CSPR provincial coordinator Samuel Mbewe called for political will to ensure community civic participation and state accountability. “The free and fair media was the single most prerequisite of enhanced social accountability, transparency, civic participation and good governance. But in Zambia and Africa at large, a large number of existing media cannot take up this responsibility because of the market influence on media industry,” said Mbewe. He said the phenomenon of paid news had endangered the functioning of the media in ensuring state accountability and civic participation. Mbewe urged the media to introspect in a bid to meet the aspirations of the people. |
