Zambian journalists suspended over Masisi error

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has left a stink among journalists in Zambia where he was recently on a state visit.

During an interview at the airport, which was broadcast on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Masisi was referred to as ‘Botswana of the president’. The appropriate phrase would have been ‘President of Botswana’ or ‘Botswana President’. A clip of the interview has gone viral online exposing this muff.

While this would appear to be a small mistake, it appears the powers that be in the Zambia government media fraternity are perfectionist and has no room for journalists who sleep on the job, regardless of how small the mistake. ZNBC sub-editor Barbara Malilwe and reporter Mark Ziligone are bearing the pecaddillo for this oversight, and have reportedly both been suspended from work following the incident. Inside sources at ZNBC who commented on condition of anonymity, said that the matter has stunned the media industry.

“Mistakes such as these are common occurrence. It is not as if they maligned the president of Botswana or anything.” Another colleague insisted that this was a move to deter journalists from being careless with their work. “There is nothing sinister beyond the error in the caption. Such a mistake can be seen as small but it can taint ZNBC, which is a respected media organisation.

This was a big issue because Masisi is a foreign dignitary.” In an interview with The Midweek Sun, Zambia Union of Broadcasters Secretary General Andrew Mpandamwike confirmed the incident, saying they awaited to hear a full report. “I have been in communication with the human resources office at ZNBC and was informed that the two journalists were suspended from work pending investigations into the incident,” he said. Efforts to get a comment on the matter at the Office of the President hit a snag. President Masisi has been criss-crossing the region on state visits.