STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 4.3.2. Censorship The quarter under review, saw less cases of direct censorship of what was published in the media. However, on 4th July 2019, it was reported by Radio Mano that the Judiciary gagged the radio station by stopping it from discussing issues related to the construction of a new court room. The facts of the matter are that a listener from Chilubula Mission sent a letter complaining about lack of a court structure explaining that the judiciary asked the church for space to use as a court. The programme featured three advisors who noted that government must construct a structure that will be used as courts. Following the airing of the programme, local court officials wrote to the Station Manager and summoned him and the three (3) men to appear before the court and when they appeared they were told that by discussing the judiciary they are obstructing the court and they were sent to Prison. Such punitive measures in dealing with conflict has potential to lead to an environment with restricted Press Freedom and freedom of expression. It must be noted that environments that stifle press freedom and freedom of expression have potential to lead to an environment where self-censorship is rife. Self- censorship kills creativity and critical thinking amongst journalists and the public as a whole. 4.3.3. Harassment / Attacks The state of the media in the third quarter was dominated by cases of harassment and attacks on journalists. On 30th September, the News Diggers! carried a headline: violence against journalist’s intolerable- Kasolo. The paper further reported that: The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Mr. Chanda Kasolo has called for stiffer punishment for people found perpetuating violence against journalists in the country. Speaking when he graced the MISA Zambia 17th Media Awards, Friday evening, Kasolo said claims of corruption must be investigated so that those found wanting can face the law. “I urge you that were you find somebody saying ‘oh, there is corruption in government, there is corruption where,’ go and interview them, go and get the facts because most of these people are lying because of trying to attract attention to be relevant to the political sphere of Zambia. I urge you to play a role, interview them and get the facts and if indeed some people are corrupt, let’s get them tried by the court of law and if convicted, 17