STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA He stated the anger Mwila directed at the two journalists was not necessary as they did not have a final say on which story to be published. “As a media body run by seasoned and practicing journalists, we wish to make it clear to the PF secretary general that reporters are not the ones that choose what airs on TV or what is published in the papers, that is the responsibility of editors with reasons known best by them. The two journalists were lucky that the briefing was not attended by party cadres. He said ZIIMA believed in the power of dialogue to resolve matters in a free fair and democratic society. He said ZIIMA would not condone the continuous harassment of journalists by politicians and media owners engaging in unethical crossfire. “We demand that Mr. Mwila apologizes to the two journalists and engages prime TV editors who are gatekeepers of what is aired and resolve the matter officially. We also wish to urge Mr. Mwila that in future he should address his grievances against journalists to their employers and not subject them to public humiliation,” stated Coulibaly. ZIIMA’s message on 28th January was repeated by opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema who was quoted saying “PF should Respect Journalists, HH weighs in on Prime TV and PF coverage feud.” The Zambian Observer reported that: UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has urged the Patriotic Front Party leadership to be respecting Journalists, human rights freedoms and liberties. The UPND President says it is an abrogation of media freedom for the PF leadership to be attacking Journalists verbally and physically as was the case on Saturday when the PF Secretary General Davis Mwila verbally attacked and chased two Prime Television Journalists namely Njenje Chizu and Toliwe Chanda from covering the PF press briefing. Mr. Hichilema has emphasized that Journalists must be respected by all citizens as their duty is to inform, educate and entertain the masses. 19