STATE OF THE MEDIA REPORT QUARTER 3. 2020

trespassed on their property but also against their property. Your act of switching off the radio
station caused them damage as it led to loss of business.”
Mara Phiri, who is representing PASME Community Radio Station, indicated that PNP had
instructions to demand K1 million as damages for Moyo’s lawless acts by today failure to
which a lawsuit will be commenced against her in her own capacity and personal cost.
And in a letter copied to the Secretary to the Cabinet and Eastern Province permanent
secretary, lawyer Gilbert Phiri who is also representing the community radio station says his
client is demanding an unqualified apology from government and an assurance that the
lawlessness exhibited by Moyo would not be repeated by any of its servants whenever the radio
station features broadcasts from opposition political parties.
Phiri, in a demand letter on behalf of his clients, said the government was liable for the petulant
and uniformed actions of its servant, Moyo.

Communique-21st August (The Mast)
Journalists, just like health workers are in the frontline in the crusade to stop the spread of
COVID-19 and they need personal protective equipment, says Haroon Ghumra.
A journalist himself with experience spanning 50 years, Ghumra, who is the donations
coordinator, said during the second donation of COVID-19 materials to media institutions by
Bimbe Trading that the media plays an important role in information dissemination.
He noted that journalists get exposed to the risk of infection in the course of their duty by going
to crowded places and interacting with different groups of people. He said he took a personal
initiative to solicit protective equipment for private media organisations after observing that
public media houses in the country had been receiving such.
Ghumra, who has had stints at Times of Zambia, Daily Mail and ZNBC currently runs a
programme called COVID-19 on 5FM radio. Bimbe donated 160 face masks, 160 bottles of
hand sanitisers, 96 tablets of medicated soap, eight knapsack sprayers, 16 x 5 litres liquid
disinfectants, eight hand washing stands with bucket and dish, 16 brooms, 16 mops, dust pans,
toilet brushes and eight buckets.
Company managing director Zakki Nadat, in a speech read for him by public relations
manager Ismail Omar, said his company was proud to be part of the COVID-19 fight. He
underscores the importance of information reaching the masses timely. He encouraged all
people to take bold stands in fighting the pandemic.
Nadat encouraged Zambians to be united in the fight against COVID-19 because they would
fall if divided. MISA Zambia chairperson Hellen Mwale, in a vote of thanks, said media houses
have not been spared by the coronavirus that has affected all sectors.
She said despite its impact on the sector of reduced finances, the media has remained strong
and had continued to inform the public about COVID-19. Mwale said media houses need
protection from the pandemic.

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