Attacks on journalists unacceptable – ZCID

Sun, 02 Apr 2017 09:45:54 +0000

 

By KALOBWE BWALYA

 

IT is barbaric and primitive to harass journalists and the police should conduct thorough investigation to bring culprits to book, says ZCID spokesperson Edwin Sakala.

Mr Sakala said it was very sad that politicians had become enemies of the media who were key in the dissemination of quality information which was a fundamental prerequisite in a democracy.

He charged that some people were targeting certain media houses for no apparent reason, hence the media should always act professionally and report the truth because they were the custodians of information.

“What happened was most unfortunate and police should thoroughly investigate and bring the assailants to book,” said Mr Sakala. Mr Sakala, who is Zambia Direct Development Movement (ZDDM) President, said police should arrest the culprits and allow the law to take its course for others to learn because some politicians and cadres were taking the law in their own hands which must no longer be tolerated.

Meanwhile, chief government spokesperson Kampamba Mulenga said the attack was barbaric and a serious assault on the freedom of the press in the country.

Ms Mulenga said it was shameful and unfortunate that the UPND had failed to realise the fact and had instead turned against people they were supposed to protect and support.

And Millennium Radio Executive Director Patricia Chibiliti has since stopped covering the opposition UPND over the conduct of their cadres towards the media. “We feel saddened by this development because we have always endeavoured to give the UPND fair coverage and voice, and certainly did not deserve this kind of treatment. Please, be advised that we will no longer cover UPND functions and press briefing or indeed entertain them on Millennium Radio station until we receive a public apology and are assured of our safety,” said Ms Chibiliti.

Among the harassed journalist were Prisca Lumingu- Banda of Millennium Radio and Silumesi Malumo from Radio Phoenix and the incident happened in the full view of some senior party officials among them national youth chairperson Likando Mufalali and presidential  advisor William Banda.

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