Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia has strongly condemned the attack on Chipata’s Breeze FM Radio by suspected ruling party cadres on Sunday morning following a programme with Rainbow Party leader, Wynter Kabimba.
MISA Zambia Chairperson Hellen Mwale in a statement notes that attacks on media houses by political party cadres seem to be on the increase, with Radio Icengelo having suffered a similar attack recently.
She noted with concern that the continued attacks are a clear threat to media freedom and the wider freedom of expression.
Ms Mwale has since called on political party leaders to tame their cadres and educate them on mature engagement as opposed to impulsive acts of violence whenever they are aggrieved with a particular media house.
She has also reminded all political stakeholders of the complaints procedure against any radio station which administered by the Independent Broadcasting Authority, beyond which individuals are free to take the matter to court.
Ms. Mwale states that it is therefore unacceptable for political party cadres to continue attacking media houses whenever they are unhappy with their programmes or persons featured.
She says Zambia is a democratic country and citizens should be free to express themselves on any media platform within the law, regardless of whether they belong to the ruling party or not.
Ms. Mwale adds that MISA also calls on the Police to ensure that they act professionally and proactively whenever such attacks take place.
She says the inertia exhibited by the Police and other security wings which had prior knowledge of the attack at Breeze FM is unacceptable.