STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA The paper reported that The Free Press Initiative (FPI) says it will engage Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo and all political parties to ensure a commitment is made to the protection of journalists where ever they are deployed to carry out their works. FPI founder Joan Chirwa said the organisation had learnt with deep sadness the attack on Zambia Daily Mail journalists Steven Mvula and Jack Zimba by political party cadres during the Katuba by elections on Tuesday. The paper further quoted Ms. Chirwa saying: The attackers according to the information we have received, even grabbed a camera and other valuables from the journalists. The fact that the two had a camera should have rung bells in the minds of these known cadres that their victims are journalists who were there only to do their job. We are happy to hear that President Edgar Lungu has condemned the attack but what we ask is quick movement to ensure those behind this barbaric act are arrested and prosecuted. The paper added that: The FPI reiterates that leaving the cadres to get away with such acts would encourage them to continue with this behaviour which might even get worse as the country heads towards the 2021 general elections. Safety of Journalists should be a priority among all political parties and to this end, the FPI will engage Minister of Home Affairs Mr Stephen Kampyongo and all political parties to ensure a commitment is made to the protection of journalists’ where ever they are deployed to carry out their works. To date the perpetrators of the violence against the two journalists from Daily Mail have not been arrested to stand trial and the issue as died a natural death. 5.0. Freedom of Expression Online – Mainstream Media/Cyber Space Freedom of expression refers to the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas without fear or restriction from surveillance, censorship or laws silencing dissent. As people turn to various media as a way 23