PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate
Lusaka – MISA Zambia condemns in its strongest terms the assault and harassment of Byta FM journalist by two associates of Green Eagles Football Club in Southern Province.
Reports reaching MISA Zambia indicate that Byta FM sports journalist Evans Liyali, during his execution of duty, was assaulted by two associates of Green Eagles at Mazabuka’s Nakambala Stadium during a match between Green Eagles FC and MUZA FC on 14th January, 2023.
The journalist was kicked in the right ankle as he captured the team which was being requested to undergo a pre -match inspection. As a result of the attack, the journalist’s camera worth K38,000 was damaged.
MISA Zambia would like to reiterate that media is an important means of sport development and transparency. Hence any form of harassment and attacks are detrimental to media being able to play the stated and many other roles.
We are calling on sports associates to respect the work of the media and refrain from such acts in future.
It is, therefore, for this reasons that MISA Zambia would like to commend the Zambia Police for acting very quickly on the matter by summoning the suspects.
Our appeal is that Zambia Police should ensure that all cases related to attacks against journalists or media are concluded and not left hanging once they are reported to them by the journalists in order to prevent future occurrences.
Issued by
Rev. Fr. Dr. Barnabas Simatende, OMI, PhD
MISA Zambia Chairperson
