State of the media report July - Dec 2022 However, the UPND leadership appealed to MISA to advise the radio station to be objective when they carry out their duties and also to employ professional/qualified people that know journalism ethics. Engagement meeting with the Chingola and Mufulira District Commissioners was also conducted. The team also visited the district commissioners in both districts. It must be mentioned that they were all welcoming to the team and both expressed disappointment and described the two incidents as unfortunate occurrences and promised MISA Zambia that they will continue to work with media in the area. The MISA Zambia investigations revealed that most political cadres did not fully understand the importance of the media in a democratic country like Zambia. They assumed criticism of the leaders or party is an insult. 3.6 THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN PROTECTING JOURNALISTS’/ MEDIA FREEDOM The Zambia Police is the national law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing crime, and protecting the lives and property of citizens in Zambia. Its role is to enforce the law, investigate crime, and apprehend suspects, as well as to provide public safety and maintain peace and order. The Zambia Police is guided by the Constitution of Zambia and the Police Act, which define powers and duties of the police force. The Police Act outlines the organizational structure of the police force, the powers of police officers, the responsibilities of the police commissioner, and the rights of citizens in relation to the police. Additionally, the Criminal Procedure Code guides the police in carrying out their duties related to the investigation of crimes and the prosecution of offenders. The Penal Code also provides guidance to the police in dealing with criminal offenses and defining the penalties for criminal acts. Overall, the role of the Zambia Police is to maintain law and order, protect citizens from harm, and ensure that the laws of the country are upheld. The police and media often find themselves in the same spaces and venues, especially when there is a significant event or incident that requires police intervention or coverage by the media. However, the presence of the media can sometimes be a source of conflict between the police and journalists. In some cases, the police may view the media as interfering with their operations or hindering their ability to maintain order. For example, police may want to cordon off a crime scene or control access to a particular area, as was the case in the Chilufya Tayali case where Innocent Phiri and Obvious Kapunda went to cover news ,while journalists may want to get as close as possible to get the story. This can lead to clashes between the police and journalists, with the police using force to prevent journalists from entering restricted areas, or journalists being arrested for disobeying police orders. On the other hand, the media may view the police as obstructing their right to freedom of expression and access to information. Journalists may feel that the police are not providing enough information about an incident or are deliberately withholding information that is in the public interest. This can lead to tension and mistrust between the police and media, with journalists accusing the police of being uncooperative or even corrupt. To mitigate these conflicts, it is important for the police and media to work together and establish a relationship of mutual respect and understanding. This can be achieved by setting clear guidelines for the interaction between police and media at events and incidents, as well as by providing regular 20