Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) is concerned with increasing reports of barbaric violent attacks targeted at media houses and journalist in the Country.
The CSPR finds it very disappointing, disheartening and regrettable that instead of promoting the existence of a free and independent media some well known political cadres seem to have embarked on a campaign against journalists.
CSPR Civic Participation and Advocacy Programme Officer Maxson Nkhoma has observed that the recent attacks on Radio Chikaya in Lundazi District, BreezFM in Chipata and beating of two journalists from the Post newspapers and Feel Free Radio station makes a sad reading.
He has told Qfm News in a statement that such attracts cannot go without a proper explanation from the Zambia Police.
Mr. Nkhoma states that the Police should explain as to how far they have gone to bring such violent and unacceptable conduct to its conclusive end.
He says the fact that the people orchestrating these attacks on the media are left without on any form of arrest is leaving citizens with a lot of questions unanswered about the safety and protection of media houses and personnel and the general citizenry.
Mr. Nkhoma has warned that if such acts of lawlessness and barbarism are not stopped immediately, it will become a building ground for even worse off violent behavior in months leading to the general elections next year.
He is of the view that these attacks on media houses are a sign that there is something wrong happening amongst political players which they want to hide from public knowledge for fear of scrutiny.
Mr. Nkhoma notes that the CSPR is thus advising political leaders to walk their talk on disciplining their members against violence.
He says political leader should stop playing the hide and seek games by painting a wrong remorseful picture that condemn violence when in fact behind closed doors it is them sponsoring such heinous barbaric behavior .