By Venus N Msyani
On Monday, January 27, 2025, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, visited Flava FM radio station in Kitwe, Zambia. It was alleged that Zambia Police attempted to prevent her from conducting interviews, a claim initially refuted by both Flava FM management and the Zambia Police.
However, during an interview with Diamond TV, Flava FM proprietor Chishala Chitoshi revealed that two police officers had visited the station two and a half hours before the UN envoy’s arrival. After visiting Flava FM, the police officers proceeded to another station where Irene Khan was scheduled to visit.
“Ok, so here is a clarification and take it from me and obviously from somebody who was present and not from people that are alleging to have contacts, quote and quote, on a ground. Two police officers arrived earlier in the day before the interview with the rapporteur and they came and spoke to my members of staff and queried about the visit from the UN rapporteur. They wanted information basely pertaining to what was going on.
My members of staff gave them the information they required after asking for ID and they said Ok we are having yes; we are having the UN chief coming over and she is coming for interview. After that they did not stay; there was no presence of any police at the radio station. In fact, I am given to understand that they left to go to Radio Chengelo to ask the same questions. I am not sure; you can confirm that,” clarified Chitoshi later on Diamond TV.
The timing of these visits has raised suspicions of interference with the media’s ability to operate freely. The mere presence of law enforcement officers at radio stations, especially before interviews with a high-profile UN envoy, can create an atmosphere of intimidation. This situation is deeply troubling for media freedom and the integrity of journalistic work in Zambia and beyond.
To maintain transparency and avoid any perception of interference, it is essential for authorities to communicate clearly and disclose police visits publicly. The purpose of these visits should be explained to all parties involved, including the media and the UN envoy. This approach would prevent misunderstandings and unwarranted suspicions.
Respecting and adhering to international standards for media freedom is crucial, especially when international observers like Irene Khan are involved. The past two and a half years of the United Party for National Development (UPND) rule have been marked by numerous complaints of human rights violations, prompting the United Nations Human Rights to issue a statement in August last year. Zambia was advised to halt the downward spiral of infringements on fundamental freedoms.
In response, the UPND government invited Irene Khan to assess issues related to freedom of expression and opinion in the country. She arrived in Zambia on January 20, 2025, for this purpose and concluded her visit on January 31. Among Ms. Khan’s main roles was to assess the media environment and ensure that journalists can operate without fear or intimidation. Any action that might undermine this must be thoroughly scrutinized.
If Ms. Khan was not aware of the police visits to the radio stations she was visiting, it could impact the context of her conversations with journalists. Knowing about such visits might have helped her assess whether there was any intimidation or pressure on the media.
To prevent similar issues in the future, measures should be implemented to ensure that international observers are informed about any unusual activities, such as police visits to media outlets, during their missions. Clear guidelines should be established for law enforcement on how to interact with the media during such visits. This would help prevent any perceptions of interference or intimidation.
Above all, there should be a way to ensure that all visits by law enforcement to media outlets are publicly disclosed and the reasons for such visits clearly explained. These steps would contribute to a more transparent and fair assessment of the media environment by international observers, supporting the protection of media freedom.
Ohh plez…..
Are you saying the police have no go
areas ??
In the course of their sworn mandate to preserve law and order in the nation……..
The police have to right to visit anywhere………
The police also have the sworn duty of protecting everyone, including our visitors, khan included…….
What if the police say …….
they paid a visit to the radio stations to make sure mrs khans life was not in danger from violent PF cader thugs ????
FWD2031
Spaka you are really dumb dumb dumb! I am amazed the UPND recruited such emptyheads for cadres. Keep your dumbness at UPND HQ where it belongs. To help you with a little education on your ridiculous questions: Yes if the owner of a Broadcasting House says No entry except for Members it is a no go even for the police.
They need to have reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing in there to demand entry. The Police dont have the right to intrude or visit anywhere. That is why when they come to your home you HAVE THE RIGHT to refuse them entry.
They have to get a warrant from a judge to enter. Khan didnt ask for police protection if anything she has better protection from whoever sent her. “they paid a visit to the radio stations to make sure mrs khans life was not in danger from violent PF cader thugs?” How dense! PF cadres dont stay in the radio station or UPND cadres/police think they do? Police can monitor them away from the Police station. It is plainly clear here that the police wanted the newsmen to be aware of their presence-their bullying!
And why would PG cadres want to attack Khan who is on their mission?
@Mutola Nkhani:
Spaka forgets that his holiness and revered excellence Mr HH exercised this right to privacy when Lungu’s police illegally raided his house. HH didn’t allow them in and they went ahead to break in. Is Spaka saying the police were right because HH was in opposition? Those chiwamira garu opinions are only for dictatorships
Mthola Nkhani
Ati get a permit from a judge. ???…….
You think you are in the USA ???
This is Zambia, the real Africa incase you don’t know……..wake up
And who told you the police forced their way in or demanded to be let in…..,?
I repeat , the police have the right to visit any premises, not demand , but check on any premises……….
PF cader thugs are know for their irrational extreme violence as seen in 2021……….
Anyone is in danger, even the UN envoy
Now if you have nothing to hide , no need to fear the police,………
Unless that radio station was planning to spread panic and confusion amongst the public, they have nothing to panic over a general police visit………
FWD2031
Mthola Nkhani
You are thinking like Emanuel mwamba …..
Always looking for confrontation with authorities………
Why are you looking to make the zambia police enemies of business premises and people in general…..???
Who told you the police went to that radio station as the enemy ???
You want to create friction like the police are enemies of the people. ??
There is a deliberate policy to put a more friendly face for the police………
On that premise , the police can visit any place in the course of their duty and should be seen as protecting the nation…….
FWD2031
Kagame’s Nephew
Who told you the police broke into that radio station like they did at the house of HH ???
Show me where you got that information??
What is wrong with the police paying a courtesy call to check everything is ok at business premises in the course of keeping law and order ??? , especially when violent PF cader thugs are involved ??………
It is people like you and the other dull one above who want to make ZP the enemy of the people, ZP work with all Zambians for the sake of all Zambians…….
FWD2031
Dumb Spaka can’t get Kagame’s point. Utulo
Mthola Nkhani = kigame
One and the same *****tt
That’s how dull you are
FWD2031
Why should police visit news media and enquire on its operations? What for if not to bully journalists? HH is thriving on chicken journalists of this era who are easy to cow.
Had it been Fred Mmembe’s Post he would have told the police where to get off. In fact clever police would have done their exercise differently and discreetly.
What have the journalists got to fear from the police ????
Are they plotting something sinister ???? Or
Planning on breaking the law ???
If you are not planning on breaking the law , you have nothing to fear when you see police………unless of course if you are up to no good
FWD2031
Firstly, this whole article is based on the testimony of just one person? Secondly, this person has a radio station, and could not broadcast this in the news or something? He has the courage to make noise about it now but did not have the courage any other time? Either we are dealing with a coward or a liar or both, unless the one writing this article has just used Chitoshi’s name in vain…
The One, Bill Kapinga and other UPND cadres always write articles that are based on the testimony of imagined sources and you dont challenge him or them. Why challenge only Msyani?
Look at this coward above using multiple aliases on LT in a cowardly attempt to show widespread anger …………
Wa cheppa sana iwe ngwele……….
FWD2031
Friend Spaka 2 kind words for you Forward 2026 !!
But check those three fingers pointing back at you! You are a coward yourself. You can’t come out in the open with your *****ic VIEWPOINTS. You have to hide under “Spaka”
Otherwise you know you would without doubt invite a lynching from normal non tribalistic Zedians
The same fooool again with different name
FED2031
Trump has a proper description of our governments.
Shiithole countries????