Zambia Police Service urged to protect Journalists

GOVERNMENT has urged the Zambia Police Service and all media houses to work together to protect journalists and media equipment as the country prepares to host the August 11, 2016 General Elections.

Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu said Government was against any form of violence against the media and hence there was need for the Zambia Police Service and all media houses especially broadcasting stations to work together to protect journalists and media equipment.

Mr Mubukwanu noted with sadness that the media were sometimes harassed and threatened with violence when performing their duties.

He said this in a speech read for him by Southern Province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba during the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) media workshop for more than 30 journalists working in Southern Province.

Officials from IBA as well as Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services are facilitating the workshop.

Mr Mubukwanu said journalists and radio stations should not be used as conduits for hate speech and other tribally inclined statements as they had potential to plunge the country into chaos.

“As Government, we wish to condemn any form of violence against the media.

“It is for this reason that I wish to appeal to the Police and all broadcasting stations to work together to take available measures to protect journalists and the equipment,” Mr Mubukwanu said.

He said the media landscape had undergone a number of changes as could be seen by the increase in the number of broadcasting stations as there were 92 radio station and 33 television stations.

Speaking at the same workshop, IBA Board member Hilda Akekelwa said the training was important in equipping journalists on appropriate skills ahead of the elections.

Ms Akekelwa, who was flanked by IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma,said it was the desire of the Authority to engage key stakeholders on matters affecting the media.