State of the media report Q1-2021 It is commendable that police responded and quelled the situation in the Liberty Radio attack and also made arrests a few days after the attack on Radio Chete4. This is markedly different from the scenario in the first quarter of 2020 in which severe attacks were carried out by cadres with impunity and no arrests were made despite police reportedly on site during some of the attacks. It is, therefore, important for police to intensify their response and act without fear or favour in order to root out such harmful traits that undermine media freedom. Below is a table summarising reported attacks and violations on media houses/practitioners that were recorded in the first quarter of 2021.It is, therefore, concerning as shown in the table above, that the trend of political attacks against media outlets was still noted in the quarter under review. There is need for close collaboration between PERIOD/DATE VIOLATION/ATTACK AFFECTED STATION TOWN DAMAGE 9th February, 2021 PF cadres ransacked and damaged property at Liberty Radio in an attempt to block DP president Harry Kalaba from featuring on a paid-for programme Liberty Radio Mporokoso Damage reportedWindows and doors 21st February, 2021 PF cadres violently disrupt a radio programme on Radio Luswepo featuring DP president Harry Kalaba Radio Luswepo Mbala Damage reportedWire-fence and other private property 10th March, 2021 PF cadres teargas Radio Chete for featuring UPND provincial chairman, Mathews Chilekwa and an aspiring candidate Chete FM Nakonde None reported police and media houses/associations to find a lasting solution to the continued attacks on media houses. It is thus commendable that Zambia Police agreed to a meeting called by MISA Zambia on 24th March 2021 at Zambia Police Force Headquarters where the two entities agreed on a number of interventions to enhance media –police relations and safety of journalists during elections and volatile events. The MISA Zambia Vice Chairperson Mr Hyde Haguta led the MISA Zambia delegation comprising of MISA Zambia Acting National Director Ms Jane Chirwa, MISA Zambia Lead 4 On 12th March, Police spokesperson, Esther Katongo, announced that four people had been arrested in connection with the assault of some UPND cadres at Radio Chete. She said the suspects are alleged to have assaulted some UPND supporters outside the Radio Station and further pepper-sprayed them. They fled the scene and were arrested the following day. See https://zambiareports.com/2021/03/12/4-thugs-arrestednakonde-attacks-chete-fm/ 12