STATE OF THE MEDIA REPORT QUARTER 3. 2020 you risk imprisonment for simply voicing your opinion which is the violation of the basic tenet of liberty. Now freedom of speech is often difficult because at its core, it requires that people who decide to go into public life must tolerate criticism from all corners. Whether you are a mayor, a police chief, a diplomat or a national leader, democracy requires you to sign up for public criticism. If you want to have political power and influence and status and responsibilities of public office, you have to be willing to be criticized fairly and unfairly sometimes you might even be called names”, his sentiments read in part. Alert-12th July (Kalemba) INSPECTOR General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has warned political party cadres against attacking radio stations to disrupt programmes featuring political figures. Kanganja also says “individuals” without cases at courts of law should stay away especially during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. PF cadres have recently adopted a habit of storming radio stations to disrupt programmes featuring opposition party leaders. In May this year, ruling party cadres violently invaded Isoka Community Radio Station and Muchinga FM and disrupted a programme featuring UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema. In March last year, PF cadres blocked Democratic Party president Harry Kalaba from entering Radio Chengelo where he was scheduled to have an interview. And in April last year, PF cadres attacked NDC president Chishimba Kambwili during a live radio programme on Power FM in Kabwe. Continuing the same trend, PF cadres on Friday attacked Mafken Radio in Mufulira where Hichilema was being interviewed, but were beaten by residents. In a statement this afternoon, Kanganja said the trend of attacking radio stations should come to an end. “The growing trend of thugs attacking radio stations under the guise of politics is criminal and should come to an end forthwith,” Kanganja stated. He said any person who felt offended by the content of any interview should follow the due process of the law by registering their grievances to the police or other relevant authorities and not taking the law into their own hands. Kanganja also warned that police would ensure that only those with cases in court access court premises. Last Thursday, PF cadres who turned up to offer solidarity to corruption-accused health minister Chitalu Chilufya and caused commotion at the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, leading to an adjournment of proceedings without him taking plea. Alert Update-15th July (Lusaka Times) President of the opposition NDC Chishimba Kambwili says Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo and Copperbelt PF Chairman Nathan Chanda are behind the attacks on Mafken Radio in Mufulira. Mr Kambwili says it is a shame that despite being aware of the incident, Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga has not done anything to bring the culprits to book. He has questioned the silence by the International Community allowing Zambia to degenerate into a banana republic because of President Edgar Lungu. Mr Kambwili said President Lungu must be ashamed to allow Mr Lusambo and Mr Chanda to ferry cadres to Mufulira openly carrying pangas threatening innocent citizens. 42