STOP HOOLIGANSM

IT is unacceptable for any group of people to force their way into a radio station and attack journalists particularly during a live show.

It is even worse when this is done by those aligned to the government as a means of silencing critical voices in a multiparty dispensation.

The conduct of suspected UPND cadres in Petauke last Friday when they invaded a radio station must be condemned by all Zambians, especially the ruling party.

Lovemore Phiri of PASME Radio was attacked while presenting a programme that discussed the 2022/2023 farming season and the farmers’ preparedness.

Before the programme could end, alleged UPND cadres stormed PASME’s on-air studio in Petauke where Mr Phiri was and in the process damaged studio equipment, causing the radio station to go off-air.

Mr Phiri was not only harassed in the studio, but even when he escaped from the radio station, the cadres chased and caught him in the nearby neighbourhood where they assaulted and threatened to kill him.

He was only rescued by members of the community.

We thus join the Media Owners Association of Zambia (MOAZ) which has condemned the barbaric and inhumane attack on an innocent journalist.

MOAZ President Evans Banda said in a statement that it was unfortunate that journalists had continued to face political violence and harassment from political cadres despite the government and media owners advocating for media freedom.

The Free Press Initiative (FPI) said it was saddened by the attack.

“Nobody expects this kind of barbaric behaviour to continue when the highest level of leadership of this country has assured journalists of their safety,” FPI executive director Joan Chirwa said.

It is not a secret that there is widespread concern in the country over the late delivery of farming inputs, particularly fertiliser.

This is despite the government’s feeble attempts to assure the nation that it is on top of things. Reports from all regions is that fertiliser is simply not there.

This concern has been highlighted by no other than Mpezeni, the paramount chief of the Ngoni who recently complained that the Eastern Province has not received any fertiliser.

It is ironic therefore that rather than taking the government to task, the cadres chose to attack Mr Phiri who was merely doing his job and informing the nation about the situation on the ground.

The hallmark of democracy is the freedom of speech in which divergent views are encouraged instead of being subdued.

This is a choice that Zambians have chosen for themselves, to be a democratic nation amidst the myriad of political parties.

It therefore makes sad reading that there are sections of society that wish to ensure that no divergent views are ever heard.

The sad part is that this trend is being perpetrated by those aligned to the ruling UPND.

We therefore call on the Zambia Police Service to investigate this savage attack thoroughly and bring the culprits to book.

They must not be shielded because they are aligned to the ruling party. That would be protecting hooliganism.