By CHIDA SAKALA –
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has backed calls by Vice-President Inonge Wina for journalists to work professionally.
UPND secretary general Stephen Katuka said journalists were partners in development and must work professionally.
“Journalists must work professionally. It is for this reason that we do not want to see our journalists being harassed by anybody,” he said.
Mr Katuka said journalists had a role to play and must be left to do their work in a free and fair environment.
He emphasised that journalists should be left to work freely when covering political parties in a conducive environment and must not be harassed by anybody.
Mr Katuka, however, cautioned journalists not to side with any political party in their reporting but strive to work as professionals.
He made the comments following Ms Wina’s message to journalists this week when she implored them to be professional in their reporting.
“The media must remain neutral in reporting to ensure they report issues the way they are,” she said.
Ms Wina said the role of the media was to report issues favourably about a particular political party but to reflect issues the way they were regardless of which political party is involved.
