Archbishop Benjamin Phiri of Zambia’s Archdiocese of Ndola. / Credit: Archdiocese of Ndola

ACI Africa, Jul 6, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

Archbishop Benjamin Phiri of Zambia’s Archdiocese of Ndola has called on journalists and media in the South African nation to resist sensationalism and distorting of facts as the country prepares for general elections in August 2026.

In his homily on Sunday, June 29, the solemnity of Apostles Peter and Paul, Phiri called for responsible and ethical journalism.

“When you report in order to educate, you do not tell lies. You tell the facts as they are,” he said during a Mass marking the 40th anniversary of St. Peter the Apostle Mushili Parish of his metropolitan see.

The archbishop faulted journalists, “whose narratives fuel more conflict than resolve issues because of the practice of pitting one against the other.”

“You want that political party to fight against that political party; you want that person there to be fighting the other person there. Is that what you learn in school about reporting?” he asked.

He added: “If you are a Catholic, and that is what you are doing, I am very disappointed in you. Because that is not what you are supposed to do. Yes, you are doing your job, but you are doing it wrongly. Report properly, report factually, and be constructive.”

The archbishop, who started his episcopal ministry in January 2011 as auxiliary bishop of Zambia’s Chipata Diocese, warned media professionals and outlets against spreading harmful information or seeking “fame” at the expense of harmony.

“Your newspaper or your radio station or TV may become famous because you are good at making people sad. You are also going to receive your own judgment,” he cautioned, adding: “If there is social unrest and people die, the blood is on your head. Because you are the one who misrepresented things and made people to arouse their emotions to the extent of killing each other, you are responsible.”

In his homily, Phiri, who has been at the helm of the Ndola Archdiocese since June 2024, also urged the people of God in the South African nation not to let differences in ideology lead them to violence.

“Now we are going towards elections. I know we are mainly here for different beliefs and ideologies,” he said, emphasizing that while ideologies and political engagements are not fundamentally bad, they should be pursued “in accordance with the will of God.”

He lamented the consequences of ideological differences, particularly during election seasons, highlighting how they have led to conflict, injury, and even loss of life among individuals who profess the same faith.

“This one believes in that way, another believes something else, and suddenly we are beating each other, even killing each other. How foolish can one get? We are all worshipping the same God,” he said.

The 66-year-old Church leader questioned the eternal value of political ideologies. “Is an ideology going to take you to heaven?” he asked. “And there you are, fighting each other, killing each other, trampling on each other, because of some ideology. You have missed it.”

He added: “If what you do is against the will of God, salvation will not be yours. I’m saying this because we who are Christians, at times we talk too much and so much about Christianity, but our hearts are so far away from each other and from God.”

Phiri also addressed corrupt practices in Zambia’s public service, urging public servants to refrain from misusing their positions for exploitation or personal gain and instead to serve the people of God with integrity.

He lamented that corruption has made it increasingly difficult to secure employment opportunities or admission to educational institutions without offering bribes or personal connections.

“Nowadays it is very difficult to find a job unless you know someone or pay someone. It is difficult to find a place in a school unless you know someone or pay someone. Don’t I have a right, if I am properly qualified, to find a job? Or for my child to find a place in an institution, if the child is qualified?” he asked.

Zambia, which has a population of over 19.6 million people according to 2022 statistics, is scheduled to hold its general elections on Aug. 13, 2026, to elect its president, members of the National Assembly, Councilors, and Council chairpersons.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.