In line with Chief Justice Mumba Malila’s recent pledge to ensure that the court case of national interest is aired live on television, judgement in the election eligibility case involving former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu will be carried live on ZAMBIA NATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION (ZNBC).
Judiciary deputy director for corporate communication kalumba Chisambisha-slavin confirmed yesterday that the proceedings will be filmed inside the constitutional court “ZNBC has been allowed to broadcast live from the courtroom,” she said.
“I must hasten to add that other media houses will be present in the courtroom as always except that ZNBC are the only ones who will be permitted to have camera in there.”
In August, Dr. Malila told journalists that a committee had approved a proposal for the introduction of live broadcasting of some court proceedings of national interest.
About two years ago Dr. Malila tabled the proposal for live streaming of court proceedings before the committee as part of the efforts to enhance accountability in the judiciary.
He emphasized the importance of such an initiative, nothing noting that opening the court to public inspection and actively engaging in exchanging in the exchange of information were essential pillars of a functioning democracy.
Dr. Malila stated that the judiciary has much more to gain when it engages in vigorous and unfettered communication with the public