By DELPHINE ZULU –

THE United Nations Committee on Information (UNCOI) has expressed happiness at  the growth of the media industry in Zambia.
UNCOI chairperson, Lyutha Sultan Al-Mughairy said the growth of the media industry in Zambia was encouraging, especially the radio stations.
Speaking when Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Joseph  Katema paid a courtesy call on her at the Permanent Mission of the Sultanate of Oman to the UN in New York on Wednesday this week, ambassador Al-Mughairy said Zambia’s active role in the Committee’s bureau was highly appreciable.
“May I express happiness at the growth of the media industry in Zambia, especially in the increase in the number of radio stations, this is encouraging,” she said.
She also commended Zambia for its active participation in the committee as a bureau member where Zambia was the rapporteur of the committee.
In a statement released by Zambia’s first secretary for press and public relations to the UN Chibaula Silwamba yesterday, Mrs Al-Mughairy urged the Zambian media to work closely with the UN Department of Public Information (DPI).
She observed that UN TV and UN radio produce many programmes that could be beneficial to Zambians.
Ambassador Al-Mughairy, who is also Permanent Representative of Oman to the UN, commended Dr Katema for his participation at the 36th Session of the Committee on Information, which started its two-week deliberations on Monday.
“You can also work with the Dag Hammarskjold Library. The United Nations Information Centre in Zambia will be a very good link between you and DPI. Make use of the information centre,” she said.
And Dr Katema, who is also Chief Government spokesperson, thanked UN member states for electing Zambia to the bureau of the Committee on Information.
He congratulated ambassador Al-Mughairy on her election to the portfolio of chairperson of the global body, and assured her of Zambia’s support in her undertakings.
The minister informed the ambassador about wide-ranging media reforms in Zambia, and growing number of media houses in the country.
He called for close working relationship between the Zambian media, the Government, the DPI and the committee to foster development, international peace and security.
Zambia chaired the Wednesday session of the Committee on Information on behalf of Ambassador Al-Mughairy.
The Minister is in New York attending this year’s session of the Committee on Information.
On the sidelines of the Committee on Information meeting, Dr Katema held several high-level meetings
with senior UN officials.