STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Due to the above, the people of Macha through their area councilor have been complaining that they have not received the equipment and this Prompted Gilbert Simaanzi to follow up the issue with the Choma Mayor to know when exactly the equipment would be delivered. However, during the interview, the Mayor verbally harassed the journalist and questioned his professionalism as evidenced in the audio sent by the victim. Alert-12th June 2020 (MISA) On 10th June 2020 MISA Zambia received a report of journalist Jajah Coulibally’s summon by Kabwe Central Police to appear for investigations of an unknown case. Following this, MISA Zambia made follow-up with Mr. Coulibally to ascertain the case he was being summoned for. He confirmed his summon but did not know the details of the investigations but rather suspected it for a defamation case. Further to this, a follow-up was made with Central Province Police Commissioner Chola Katanga who confirmed the summon but could not give details pertaining the summon. Alert Update-16th June (Lusaka Times) News Diggers Newspaper has written to Chief Government spokesperson Dora Siliya acknowledging receipt of her letter dated 12 June 2020 in which she as Minister of Information and Broadcasting expressed concern over what she termed as the use of derogatory word “Stupid” in the newspaper editorial comments. Managing Director Joseph Mwenda expressed gratitude to the Minister that she reached out to the Newspaper to express her concern and to offer her advice on behalf of the government. Mr Mwenda said dialogue is extremely important between the ministry that she heads and media houses. Alert-17th June (News Diggers) SUSPECTED ruling Patriotic Front cadres on Monday evening disrupted a live telephone interview at Kwenje Radio featuring opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema by tempering with the power supply system. The live transmission of Hichilema’s interview was cut mid-way, about 50 minutes into the programme. The opposition leader, however, continued with the phone interview which was recorded for airing at a later time. He thanked the UPND youths in Chama who protected staff at Kwenje radio from harassment. “Under the UPND government, no opposition party will be made to endure such measures, just to be able to enjoy their democratic rights. The culture of thuggery and intolerance will end with our government,” stated Hichilema in a Facebook post shortly after the disruption. Communique-22nd June (MIBS Facebook Page) Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga has challenged the media to play an active role in building and sustaining peace and co-existence in the country. pg. 61