STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Malambo said he was coming from Kafue when he came across a group of Zambia Police and Immigration officers at Embassy Mall parading some Chinese nationals from casinos along Kafue road. He later attempted to film the incidence which then attracted some attention from the alleged officers and where forced to beat him for filming them without their consent. He added that despite efforts of explaining to them that he was a journalist, officers dragged him into their car and took him to the immigration office where he was held for 4hours before releasing him. 4.3.2.3 Threats The bigger threat that came very evident during the second quarter of the year was that of Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe directing IBA to shut down media houses that did not give good coverage to the president. The Mast Newspaper26 and News Diggers27 on 15th June published stories citing Nundwe asking the IBA to be firm on media houses that were reporting negative news against government. In this report Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe has asked the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to close down television and radio stations that do not give President Edgar Lungu good coverage. Nundwe then encouraged the regulatory authority to show its teeth to media organisations that were reporting negative news against the government. “Be firm on TV and radio stations that do not cover the President fairly or well. On the copperbelt, we want ethical reporting. Don‟t be toothless on people that are unethical, pounce on them please. We see a lot of radio stations, TV and other media coming up as we go to 2021 elections.” “We can‟t afford to only have ZNBC and ZINIS only. Even the private media are creating employment for the people. But if they misbehave, don‟t just suspend for 26 27 The Mast Newspaper - C/Belt PS advocates closure of Private TV, radio stations that misbehave -15th June, 2018 News Diggers - Ban TV, Radio Stations that do not cover Lungu well, Nundwe tells IBA - 15th June, 2018 23