STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Suffice to say, Your Excellency, I humbly beg you to invoke your discretion on the prerogative of mercy and please pardon Derrick Sinjela. Sir, I drew the confidence to write you from history that puts you in the position of a friend of the media and defender of media practitioners. In fact Your Excellency, part of the evidence engraved in Zambian media history to prove your friendship to the media and your involvement in defending journalists has been documented by Comrade Sinjela himself. Your Excellency, Comrade Sinjela is the journalist who took the now iconic image of you at Kabwata Police Station in 2005 when you were lead counsel in the case where then Post EditorIn-Chief Fred M’membe was charged with defamation of late President Levy Mwanawasa. Kindly find attached, Sir, the said image which features you, your then client Fred M’membe and other defenders of journalists at the time. Your Excellency, I thank you in advance and may God Almighty continue to grant you wisdom and strength as you lead this our great nation, Zambia. God bless you, Sir. Yours Sincerely, Salim Dawood 33