MISA alarmed by PF threats of violence at Kasama’s Radio Mano

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia chapter is alarmed by the threats of violence against journalists at Kasama’s Radio Mano who are currently living in fear for their lives.
We have received a complaint in which two senior Patriotic Front officials directed cadres at a meeting in Kasama to ‘attack’ and ‘sort-out’ one of the radio station’s editors, Tobias Mangani.
It is even more alarming that one of the PF officials blatantly encouraged the cadres by saying a lawyer would be provided to take care of them should they be arrested for attacking Mangani, following claims that the station was offering coverage to the opposition political parties.
We would like to warn all those involved to immediately desist from any acts aimed at intimidating the staff at the radio station which is within its right to operate in line with its mandate of offering a platform for information and public debate.
MISA will not hesitate to take stern action to censure all those involved especially that high ranking party members are at the centre of this violation against the democratic freedom of the press to offer a platform for participatory governance.
We are disappointed that barely a day after the head of state advised Zambians, including PF cadres to desist from any acts of violence, the two Senior PF officials were inciting violence against journalists at the radio station.
We would like to bring to the attention of the PF officials that the radio station and other media houses should operate independently just as the President pointed out at Kasama Airport on Tuesday.
The President said he had no power to interfere in the operations of the radio station after PF cadres displayed placards demanding removal of some reporters at Radio Mano.
We would like to advise the provincial leaders in Kasama to appoint a spokesperson to issue statements on behalf of the party instead of encouraging PF cadres to go to the radio station to issue statements.
MISA is closely monitoring the situation on the ground as it develops at Radio Mano in Kasama, ISO FM, Breeze FM, Chikaya Radio and Kariba FM and we will announce the course of action to be taken soon.
We are equally monitoring cadres who seem to have gone on rampage country wide attacking and interfering with the operations of several media houses in the country with a view to coerce them to black out the opposition.