Journalists urge government to help end harassment

Media Liaison Committee Chairperson Mickie Mumba has called on government through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services to stop the harassment of media personnel by political party cadres.

Mr. Mumba said it was regrettable that the harassment of journalists by political party cadres was escalating.

He was speaking during the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) orientation workshop in Lusaka today.

He urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services to set rules that will deter cadres from physically harassing media personnel so that they can work freely and independently.

Mr. Mumba said government needs to come out strong and tell cadres to know their limits and what they should not do.

He said journalists are there to inform the public of what is happening in the country and not to be victims of political violence.

And Information and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Mwansa Kapeya assured the media fraternity in the country that government was addressing the matter.

Mr. Kapeya said government will not sit idle and watch cadres harass journalists but will enforce measures that will protect media practitioners.

Of late, media personnel have been caught up in political violence across the country.

In Lusaka, journalists were recently beaten and harassed by suspected cadres from a named political party at a church gathering while in Mkushi, cadres are allegedly demanding to sit on the board of a community radio station.