State of the media report Q1-2021 Researcher Mr Pryd Chita and MISA Zambia Finance and Administration Officer Mr Vincent Phiri. Among the issues raised by MISA Zambia included the below issues: Haguta informed the Zambia Police in his presentation that though Zambia Police do try to address the scourge of cadres attacking radio stations, there were very few arrests and escalation of matters to the courts of law and convictions. Safety of Journalists during Elections Mr Haguta raised concern over the safety of journalists as the elections were approaching and during volatile events. He explained that journalists were usually harassed and at times arrested together with riotous citizens. He said there was need for Zambia Police to ensure media safety during such periods or events. Permission versus Notice Safety of the media Mr Haguta said whilst the intention of the radio station informing the Zambia Police was to alert them and prepare them for an eventuality when the station is featuring an opposition leader, the police treated such a notice as a request which can be denied or permitted by police. MISA Zambia said this should not be the case. He said it is as though they were applying the Public Order Act on broadcast media. Responses from Zambia Police Informing the Police to Enhance Preparedness All radio and TV stations should be informing their nearest police stations on programmes featuring politicians or programmes of a political nature. This will ensure the police place officers on standby in case of a fracas. The notice is not to prevent media from airing the radio programmes they clarified Improved Moderation for Improved Peaceful Dialogue Investigations by Zambia Police also revealed that regulation of the programmes has to improve. The moderators must not incite the panel or discussants. They are not fully able to control the discussants 13