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Not covering Banda will guarantee safety for all journalists – ZUJ

Not covering Banda will guarantee safety for all journalists – ZUJ
Written by Masuzyo Chakwe and Mwala Kalaluka
Friday, July 31, 2009 3:45:36 PM

THE Zambia Union of Journalists (ZUJ) Times of Zambia chapter has said staying away from covering President Rupiah Banda and government ministers will be the best guarantee for safety for their members if attacks on journalists by MMD cadres are not stopped forthwith.

And the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has noted that the violence and intolerance being exhibited by MMD cadres against journalists is giving the country a bad name regionally and internationally. Chapter president Bob Sianjalika yesterday said journalists' lives were at stake.

"Unfortunately these MMD cadres are also found loitering in government offices and not just at the airport when receiving the President. While we appreciate President Banda condemning the beating of the journalists, we expect action from both the MMD and the police," he said. "Today MMD cadres walked into the Times of Zambia newsroom denying ever beating Mr [Anthony] Mulowa and Mr [Richard] Mulonga. What a mockery on journalists when even medical reports can be produced and attackers identified."

Sianjalika said as a ZUJ chapter, they also condemned the attack on Post newspapers journalists.

He said these attacks, whether on the public or private media journalists, were unwarranted and of the Stone Age.

"Zambia is surely way above this. We shall petition this to whoever is willing to listen to our cry," he said.

Sianjalika said the beating of their members by some MMD cadres in Lusaka on Wednesday was a clear demonstration of the diminishing respect for the rule of law in Zambia.

"As journalists at Times of Zambia, this time it is our own members Mr Anthony Mulowa and Richard Mulonga who are victims of the orchestrated kind of beatings by the MMD.

We shall not watch while our members' lives are clearly in danger. Our role as journalists is so noble, rather humble and any reasonable person to appreciate this fact," he said

He said the beatings were not happening in the bush or forests but in broad daylight and in the presence of authorities such as ministers and the police.

Sianjalika said while the MMD cadres had the muscles, the mantle and the numbers to beat journalists, they [journalists] did not have such.

"Our only strength is integrity and reasoning. If our political counterparts cannot appreciate this, as the case appears, then one wonders as in what direction Zambia's democracy and governance system is going. It is very clear that these levels of violence have graduated to such alarming extents because cadres feel they have protection somewhere," Sianjalika said "Our journalists are not politicians. They only meet these politicians because of their nature of duty. So if our political leaders are being surrounded by these violent cadres, it becomes very clear that these leaders are no longer safe grounds to gather news from."

The Press Freedom Committee (PFC) of The Post sent a protest letter to Kabonde over the conduct of Lusaka Province police chief Greenwell Ng'uni and his officers during the assault on journalists by MMD cadres at the Lusaka International Airport.

PFC general secretary Sheikh Chifuwe stated that it was clear that Ng'uni and his men turned a blind eye to a crime, which was being committed against the Post journalists who went to cover the arrival of President Banda from Uganda.

"The Press Freedom Committee of The Post Newspapers would like to express its disappointment and also protest over the conduct of your officers led by Lusaka Province commanding officer Mr Greenwell Ng'uni during the harassment and assaulting of journalists on Wednesday July 29, 2009 at the Lusaka International Airport," Chifuwe stated. "...It should be noted that no person - no matter how powerful and strong and no regime, no matter how authoritarian and brutal - can stop human beings from thinking, inventing and writing freely and positively. We, however, feel the ineptitude exhibited by Mr Ng'uni and his men whilst the journalists were being attacked, not only promotes anarchy but also compromises the fundamental democratic principles in our society."

Chifuwe stated that while the free flow of information and knowledge had become a must for progress and prosperity, Zambia was moving backwards, mainly due to ineffective, incapable and indecisive leadership exhibited by people like Ng'uni.

"We, therefore demand that appropriate action be taken against M Ng'uni for failing to provide leadership by stopping the thuggery that has the potential of compromising the peace of the country," the letter read in part. "...We wish to remind you that you have a duty and responsibility to safeguard the lives of all citizens of this country. Don't brood lawlessness by applying law selectively against those perceived to be enemies of the State."

Chifuwe further noted that in a society that was devoid of press freedom, the State could selectively undermine and destroy fundamental freedoms without public knowledge or otherwise.

"We have repeatedly stated that press freedom is the umbrella under which all essential freedoms in democratic societies are strengthened," Chifuwe stated. "We pray that the police command will take appropriate action in order to restore public confidence in the police service, which is evidently waning."

ZEC spokesperson Fr Paul Samasumo said the violent exhibition by the cadres was undemocratic.

"I think there is nothing much that we can add. The bishops have appealed several times that the government, especially the police, get to grips on this. Violence of any kind on anyone, let alone the media, people who are trying to do their work, should not at all be condoned by anyone," Fr Samasumo said. "Because if we are a democratic society, it means that I have to give you space to say what you say, even if I do not agree with you. That is democracy. There is no justification for any kind of violence."

Fr Samasumo said the violent behaviour by the cadres was contrary to what Zambia was known for, as a peaceful nation.

"This kind of violence will just dent our image and give us a bad name in the region and internationally. I think it is something that can be stopped by the politicians, especially in the MMD," Fr Samasumo said. "I think condemnation is the first step but it is not enough. He [President Rupiah Banda] needs to make sure that those that are responsible for law and order take action."

Asked if the police and the government were portraying double standards in the way they handled violence from opposition political cadres and those in the ruling party's fold, Fr Samasumo said the police should be professional and impartial.

"I think there is nothing paradoxical about it. Whenever there is violence, if it is perpetrated by PF cadres the police should move in fast, and if it is perpetrated by the MMD cadres they should move in fast. In that way they will act impartially," Fr Samasumo said.

And Human Rights Commission (HRC) director Enoch Mulembe said it was extremely unfortunate that Zambia seems to be descending into a country where the practice of journalism is a perilous profession.

Mulembe condemned in the strongest terms the violence perpetrated against journalists who had gone to cover the arrival of President Banda at the airport.

He called upon the leadership of the MMD to ensure those committing such acts were brought to book.

He said it was important for the public and political cadres in particular to be reminded that journalists played a critical role in the governance of the country.

"We all depend on journalists to inform us about national and international events which undoubtedly play a role in shaping the country's destiny. It is important that people respect journalists' individual rights and freedoms as well as their right to practice a profession without fear for their lives. The HRC challenges the police to investigate the incident and invoke the appropriate law," Mulembe said.

On Wednesday, Post journalist Chibaula Silwamba was slapped and roughed up by MMD cadres at the airport where he went to cover the arrival of President Banda from Uganda.

The incident happened in full glare of Ng'uni and other police officers and some of the officers advised Silwamba to leave the airport because the cadres, who they referred to as "bosses", were dangerous people.

The cadres also harassed Times of Zambia photographer Mulonga and punched senior reporter, Mulowa, when he took time to produce his identity card and was only saved after he produced his press card.

Post journalists have suffered at the hands of MMD cadres for over ten months now and information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha recently justified the attacks, saying The Post was reaping what it sowed. President Banda, during his last press conference, also said he had supporters who were angered with the coverage whenever he was attacked in The Post and that they were bound to ask questions whenever they came into contact with the journalists.

Labels: CADRES, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA, ZUJ

posted by MrK @ 2:45 PM