STATE OF THE MEDIA REPORT QUARTER 4, 2020 A graph depicting the trends with regard to COVID-196 Another issue worth noting in the quarter under review is the continued humiliation and unfair portrayal of women in the media. This was evidenced by a widely condemned incident in which Socialist Party Spokesperson, Rehoboth Kafwabulula was reportedly humiliated by a Sun FM journalist during a live programme dubbed “The Public Forum”. Ms Kafwabulula was allegedly asked questions with varied sexual insinuations which most stakeholders considered to be victimisation of the Spokesperson on account of her gender. MISA Zambia issued the following: MISA Zambia has strongly condemned the intimidation and humiliation of Socialist Party national spokesperson Rehoboth Kafwabulula by a Sun FM journalist. Last Thursday, Sun FM’s Kausa Mbasela hosted Ms. Kafwabulula from Socialist Party on the station’s flagship current affairs programme dubbed Public Forum. During the programme, Mr Mbasela humiliated Ms. Kafwabulula by asking her personal questions such as; “who are you sleeping with?” and “are you still a virgin in the political space?”. “MISA Zambia has received with sadness the intimidation of Socialist Party National Spokesperson by Sun FM journalist during a live call in radio programme. MISA Zambia strongly condemns such interview tactics that are not only unprofessional, but also unfair and a clear breach of media ethics,” MISA Zambia chairperson Hellen Mwale stated. “We therefore, urge all media houses in the country to treat both female and male politicians with equal respect, prominence, and avoid asking them demeaning questions that attack their persona”. The interview tactic was not only unprofessional but also an insult to the female folk as it insinuates that females can only be successful if the 6 Source: Zambia National Public Health Institute. See https://rtcplanning.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/3b3a01c1d8444932ba075fb44b119b63 P a g e 17 | 56