STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 4.3.2.4 Stopped from going on air In the second quarter, Mansa Police stopped NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili from holding a radio program. The Mast Newspaper on 14th April, reported police in Mansa picked up Chishimba Kambwili from KFM radio where he was having a programme30. The added that; As Kambwili was on air, some police officers arrived with a note to stop the programme but he resisted. The officers then stormed the studio, ordering that the programme be halted. “Why should you be following us, ba police fumeni muno (get out of here)? We are discussing issues affecting the Zambian people, get out of here, get out of here,” Kambwili told the officers. Kambwili then left the studio while telling off the officers over why they were following him everywhere he goes. However, the officers told the former information minister that he would never be allowed to hold radio programmes in the province. 4.3.2.5 Media under heavy censorship The media in this period was heavily monitored than in the first quarter of 2018. This was evidenced by criticism and calls to ban or shut down media houses that did not cover the ruling government and the President in good light. On 26th May, 2018, The Mast Newspaper reported that government spokesperson Dora Siliya said that the private media, has opted to be the official opposition of the government31. She accused the media of siding with the opposition following criticism that the media offers to the government. Ms. Siliya observed that:- 30 The Mast Newspaper - Mansa Police Stop Kambwili From Holding Radio Programmes – 14th April, 2018 31 The Mast Newspaper – Siliya accuses private media of being govt‟s official opposition – 26th May, 2018. 25