Press freedom group condemns alleged attacks on journalists by UPND cadres, wants culprits punished

The Free Press Initiative (FPI) has strongly condemned the attacks on three Serenje Radio Journalists in Central Province and one in Petauke District of Eastern Province by United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres.

FPI Executive Director, Joan Chirwa, has disclosed that Serenje Radio Manager Male Kapema, Finance Personnel Enoch Champo and Reporter Sheila Kalunga were attacked at Serenje Police Station on Saturday where they had gone to follow up on a story that members of the Socialist Party had allegedly shot a UPND member during campaigns for the forthcoming Muchinda Ward By-election in Serenje District.

She said in another incident in Petauke, UPND cadres led by their Information and Publicity Secretary only identified as Mwika attacked reporter Charles Chimwemwe Banda after they stormed the radio station and dragged him out for playing area member of parliament Emmanuel Banda’s song during a sponsored radio Programme.

Chirwa is deeply concerned that attacks against journalists, largely perpetrated by ruling party cadres, have become a continued trend in the country.

She said what is also unfortunate about these attacks is that the culprits are rarely brought to book by the police.

“We wish to remind the political parties and their unruly cadres that Article 20 of the Zambian Constitution empowers journalists to gather and disseminate information on issues that border on national interest devoid of intimidation and threats,” Chirwa said.

She said with the increase in the number of media freedom violations, government should go beyond rhetoric and decisively deal with anyone frustrating the work of the media, including members of the UPND.

“Media freedom should be guaranteed through action and not in speeches only. We further call on the Zambia Police to apprehend and charge individuals who attack journalists regardless of the party they belong to,” Chirwa said.

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