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Those who engage in violence against journalists will face the law – Kunda

Those who engage in violence against journalists will face the law – Kunda
Written by Mwala Kalaluka
Saturday, August 08, 2009 1:56:32 PM

VICE-President George Kunda yesterday assured that those who engage in violence against journalists would face the wrath of the law. And the country's media mother bodies said the government should learn to listen when criticised. Vice-President Kunda was receiving the 10-page petition on behalf of President Rupiah Banda.

Vice-President Kunda, who was usually intercepted in his short speech by calls for more action other than casual rhetoric in addressing violence against journalists, said journalism was a noble profession.

Earlier, the group of marchers converged at the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia offices along Martin Mwamba Road in Lusaka before proceeding to Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC).

Along the way, the marchers sung songs denouncing the cadres perpetrating violent acts against journalists.

On arrival at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, the media and their supporters engaged in more songs whilst raising placards registering their displeasure at those that were justifying violence against journalists.

Some of the placards stated that it was foolish to justify violence against journalists while others stated that police officers that slept on duty when cadres were beating journalists should be arrested.

Vice-President Kunda came to address the petitioners within the conference centre but not before they almost left the place because he took long to arrive at the scene.

The petitioners, some of whom were drawn from the public and private media institutions, welcomed Vice-President Kunda with shouts of “abash intimidation”, “viva press freedom”, among others.

MISA Zambia chairperson Henry Kabwe presented the petition on behalf of the other media associations.

Speaking on behalf of the various media associations, Kabwe said at the end of the day what the people that had converged in the conference room wanted was peace.

“Violence starts in a very small way,” Kabwe said.

He said the violence that had been directed at journalists by the cadres could culminate into something big.

Kabwe said US civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. had justifiable reasons to fight the white people, but that these grounds were not sufficient for him to stop the violence against the black people.

“Abash violence. Abash thuggery,” Kabwe said as the audience echoed his chant.

Kabwe said former US president Thomas Jefferson once said every government should learn to listen when criticised.

“And this is one of the most criticised president of the United States,” he said. “We want protection from the police. We want protection from the government. All journalists are human beings.”

Kabwe said the protection being sought was not just from the MMD cadres but also from cadres from the opposition parties like PF and UPND, where such violent traits had been noted.

“We are going to make sure that we are going to win this battle,” he said. “We pray to God that he will help us journalists to remain strong.”

Kabwe said from now onwards any person who assaulted a journalist would be followed.

Vice-President Kunda said since journalism was a noble profession, it must have rules and regulations.

At this point some people in the crowd said they were aware of these rules and regulations.

Vice-President Kunda said he was happy at the manner that the journalists and their supporters had presented their petition, a manner that was devoid of violence.

“Criticism is the pillar of democracy. Some of it may not be pleasant to read,” Vice-President Kunda said as his voice got drowned in more heckles. “Those who engage in violence will face the wrath of the law.”

Vice-President Kunda urged the journalists to avoid provocative articles and adhere to ethics in their line of duty, but this statement attracted some more shouts of “abash intimidation.”

When Vice-President Kunda said information minister, Lt Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha had made a comprehensive statement over the violence against journalists in Parliament earlier that morning, some of the petitioners openly disagreed with him.

Some of them were heard saying that Vice-President Kunda should tell the MMD cadres to learn to behave.

Vice-President Kunda said President Banda and his government had condemned the violence against journalists.

However, the crowd said condemnation was not enough.

Other organizations that attended the peaceful demonstration included, the Citizens Forum, Southern Africa Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD), Zambia Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) and Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) among others.

A group of children joined the demonstration and took a front row place during the event.

Freedom of expression activist Maiko Zulu and wife Sista D were equally present at the peaceful demonstration.

Labels: GEORGE KUNDA

posted by MrK @ 12:57 PM