outlets. The Minister indicted district political leadership which she noted should take responsibility for the attack 2. It is elating to note that on 14th December, Mpika FM Radio issued the following statement which spelt out positive action from security wings to protect media freedom: On Wednesday, 1st December 2021 around 20 hours, suspected UPND Cadres stormed the Radio Station and disturbed a Live Phone-In Program. The Station was hosting the Mpika Constituency Member of Parliament, Honourable Francis Robert Kapyanga of the PF Party on a Live Phone-In Program dubbed “100 Days of the MP in Office” where developmental issues were being discussed. The group ordered the Presenter of the Program to stop the Program immediately, failure to which they would attack him and the security guard on duty and destroy the property of the Station. The matter was reported to Mpika Police Station on Thursday, 2nd December 2021 where a Statement was recorded from Station Manager, the Presenter and the Security Guard on duty. On Friday, 3rd December 2021, the Presenter and the Security Guard were summoned to the Police Station to identify the attackers. The duo gave a positive ID and the attackers were arrested and detained. On the same day, the Station Manager was called by the UPND District and Provincial Party Officials to negotiate for the release of their members after being advised by the Police that there was nothing they could do to secure the release of their members, and that they would appear in court the following Monday. After discussing with the UNPD Party Officials and them showing remorse over what happened and further promising that they would ensure that such an incidence never takes place again by disciplining their erring members, the Station Manager decided to consult the Board Chairperson on the way forward. After discussion with the Chairperson and the Presenter, it was decided that the Radio Station should drop the case in the interest of peace and accept that this should be the last time such an incident would occur, otherwise the station would take legal action in future against such culprits, without remorse. 2 See https://www.znbc.co.zm/news/kasanda-warns-political-hooliganism/ 11