Kitwe based political activist Kelvin Chipili is calling for the enhanced protection of journalists and media institutions in the run-up to next year’s tripartite elections.
Suspected Patriotic Front supporters recently disrupted a live paid for radio programme that featured UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema at Isoka FM.
Similar incidents had earlier in that week occurred at Mpika FM and Muchinga Radio Station in Chinsali.
In an interview with Lusaka Times on the Copperbelt, Mr. Chipili said Police should take a leading role in ensuring that journalists are protected from attacks perpetuated by political party cadres.
“I am greatly concerned with the continued intimidation and harassment of the media. It is unfortunate that journalists are vulnerable to attacks from political party cadres,” he said.
“The police should come on board and ensure that they provide security to the media. Police must be vigilante and ensure that they protect reporters in media institutions,” Mr Chipili said.
He added that political parties have a duty to speak against violence and take action against erring members.
“A free press plays an important role in a democratic society and allowing the dissemination of information. So, political parties should also sensitise their cadres against violence. The law has no selection and must be applied fairly,” Mr Chipili said.
The activist looks like a dead person. He has symptoms of HIV/AIDS. Hulk Hull will be interrupted as long as his agenda is to campaign.
He will receive a lot of support if he joins the world in fighting COVID-19. He is misleading the nation by telling Zambians that Edgar brought COVID-19. Did Edgar take covid-19 to USA?
Let Hulk Hull start supporting the fight. He might not support the government we don’t care but this monster affects him and UPND supporters.
Hulk Hull cannot support Edgar, he hates him so much that if there were means to dethrone him, he would have done it. Thank God for the protection. Hulk Hull’s s@t@n1sm has not worked.
In fact we just need a commander-in-chief who is up to the task and ensures that the police protect everyone and not just journalists.
Kanganja and his team are preoccupied with corrupt activities where there is looting.
We are in another country joining the likes of Somalia, lawless countries.
Defend yourselves.
PF must go!
Mr Activist, that statement has been said time without number, yet harassments, vandalism and threats to life by PF cadres on radio station users has continued. The real solution is PF must go.
Which police officer will dare protect Journalist against PF cadres, the precedent was set out in Sesheke, They are all afraid of being retired prematurely.
Yangu baHenry, stop stigmatizing people. Just say what you are’t happy with the statement. People living with HIV are people too with full rights.
Protection from where? From the same stranglers of the Post? The Prime TV and intimidators of over 20 radio stations? There can never be protection of media houses by the same murderers of such institutions, they have a hired gun beautifully named IBAZRA. So forget this issue until September 2021.
GRZ is for the people regardless which party you have in power. It’s just like a D0g and it’s owners. When the d0gs start becoming Rabied and biting their owners, you remove them! When a party in power becomes lawless, they lose their moral mandate to govern. Remember they took Oath by swearing on the Bible to protect and uphold the Constitution but are they walking the talk? PF has had their chance which they have squandered. Let us put them to rest for the good of Zambia!