Policing journalists

ONE of the measures of an effective democracy is free media and going by the current insecurities faced by media practitioners, Zambia’s human rights status stands accused.
Just yesterday, the Media Institute of Southern Africa Zambia (MISA Zambia) appealed to the Zambia Police to protect journalists in the line of duty especially as the country head towards the general elections next year.
Electoral violence appears to be in slumber but we still continue to record acts of intimidation on journalists when they are on duty.
It is therefore only right that the police service come to the aid of the media who are expected to provide much needed information on the leaders and their works.
As an umbrella body for the media, MISA Zambia has reminded political parties that it was not the duty of media houses to campaign for them but rather a platform to communicate policies and manifestos.
MISA Zambia Board member, Martin Akende, said despite media recording growth in the recent years, journalists had continued to suffer harassment at the hands of political cadres.
Mr Akende said it was unfortunate that media personnel still suffer harassment, violence, intimidation from both political players and members of the public.
He said this during the launch of the State of the Media report for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2.
Just last week, MISA Zambia welcomed the call for Zambia to embrace issued-based campaigns during elections as the country heads to the polls in August 2021 and during any other elections in the country.
This followed the pronouncement by President Edgar Chagwa Lungu during the official opening of the fifth session of the Twelfth National Assembly at which he made known his expectations for the 2021 elections.
The Head of State in his address called for issue-based campaigns and peaceful campaigns that do not create room for violence before, during and after the elections.
We believe that such pronouncements are not only good for good governance and development but also for a free and fair election in which voters are able to choose leaders of their choice in an informed manner based on what they have to offer the country.
Issue-based campaigns are key to promoting and protecting freedom of expression and media freedom during and after elections.
“MISA Zambia has always encouraged stakeholders especially political parties to engage in issue-based politics in order to safeguard lives of all citizens and also promote the enjoyment of the freedom for everyone including their political opponents to express themselves freely, especially through the media, the cyber space and other possible means without any hindrance including violence and intimidation,” MISA Zambia board chair person Hellen Mwale said.
She noted that there is a strong correlation between issued-based campaigns and media safety. “When political players engage in issue-based campaigns, violence will not be the means to woe voters to one’s party but the substance the political party brings to the table.” She said.
“Issue-based campaigns are a pivotal factor towards creating and promoting a peaceful and democratic society where dialogue amongst the citizens and respect for the others’ views are upheld.
“As an organization that promotes free speech and pluralism in the media, we are also happy with the growth of the media sector especially the growing number of operational radio stations that stood at 88 in 2016 but currently stand at 126.
“A pluralistic media means more voices and more participation from the citizen’s and we are glad that His Excellency’s resolve is to see the media operate independently.
“We therefore wish to appeal to the President to ensure that his government enacts media friendly laws and repels those that create a harsh and unsafe environment for the media in the country,” Ms Mwale said.
MISA Zambia expressed hope that the pronouncements by the Head of State will encourage freedom of expression, issued-based campaigns as well as enactment of the Access to Information bill before Zambia head to the polls in 2021.
The State of The Media report revealed that there was need for professionalism and adherence to the media ethics for both private and public media.
Zambia must guard the journalism profession to ensure their access to credible information for them to base their decisions.