Home 9 Freedom of expression 9 Attacks on radio stations should not be new normal

Attacks on radio stations should not be new normal

12 Feb, 2021
MISA Zambia says that attacks on one community radio station sends a chilling message to other stations more especially as the nation is approaching the 2021 general elections.
MISA Zambia has called on the police to identify and punish the instigators of the attack on Liberty Community Radio Station in Mporokoso.
Reacting to the attack on Liberty Community Radio station, MISA Zambia Chairperson Hellen Mwale says broadcasting stations have a crucial role to play in providing information to the public, and any disturbance to a station is an infringement on media freedom and the public’s right to information.
“Attacks on one community radio station sends a chilling message to other stations especially as we approach the 2021 general elections”, she says.
Liberty Community Radio station was attacked by Patriotic Front cadres armed with iron bars and catapults as the station featured Democratic Party president Harry Kalaba on a live programme.
Mwale says that political party sympathizers should follow laid down procedures of registering their grievances about any broadcast material they find aggrieving as opposed to engaging in violence. She has also commended the police for their swift action of protecting the station from further damage. However, we are urging the police to make sure that the identified cadres in this incident are arrested and prosecuted.
Find below the statement from MISA Zambia;
ATTACKS ON RADIO STATIONS SHOULD NOT BE A NEW NORMAL – MISA
LUSAKA – MISA Zambia is urging the Zambia Police to identify and punish the instigators of an attack yesterday against Liberty Community Radio Station in Mporokoso district.
Yesterday Patriotic Front cadres, armed with iron bars and catapults, smashed one of the window panes at the radio station’s entrance when it featured Democratic Party president Harry Kalaba on a live programme.
Political party players should know that no community win when violence is used to settle differences.
This aggression is unacceptable as it is an intolerable attack on press freedom and it also carries the seeds of misunderstanding and violence yet dialogue is the best option for humanity.
MISA Zambia also finds this uncalled-for act as intimidating and hindering Freedom of speech which is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation.

Broadcasting stations have a crucial role to play in providing information to the public, and any disturbance to a station is an infringement on media freedom and the public’s right to information.

Attacks on one community radio station send a chilling message to other stations more especially as we approach the 2021 general elections. Political party sympathisers should follow laid down procedures of registering their grievances about any broadcast material they find aggrieving as opposed to engaging in violence.
We also wish to commend the police for their swift action in protecting the station from further damage. However, we are urging the police to make sure that the identified cadres in this incident are arrested and prosecuted.
Issued by
Hellen Mwale, Chairperson

About MISA

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) was founded in 1992. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media.

Share this

Related news

61 YEARS OF PEACE AND UNITY

61 YEARS OF PEACE AND UNITY

PRESS STATEMENT For Immediate Release LUSAKA, Friday, 24th October 2025 – MISA Zambia today joins other stakeholders in celebrating the country’s 61st Independence Anniversary under the theme “61 Years of Peace and Unity: Building a Resilient and Prosperous Zambia.”...

Africa Human Rights Day Statement

Africa Human Rights Day Statement

Africa Human Rights Day, observed annually on 21 October, offers a chance to reflect on the progress achieved in advancing human rights, whilst addressing the persistent challenges that still threaten these advances. This year’s commemorations, held under the theme...

FOX Fellowships ( Call for Applications)

FOX Fellowships ( Call for Applications)

DW Akademie in collaboration with the Spaces of Solidarity coalition of Media Freedom Advocates offer five FOX Fellowships of 1,000 EUR (~ 1,100 USD) for activists, media professionals, media freedom and freedom of expression advocates to foster free expression in the...

News

/ MISA on Twitter

[fts_twitter twitter_name=MISAZambia tweets_count=3 cover_photo=yes stats_bar=no show_retweets=no show_replies=no]