IBA TELLS POLITICAL PARTIES TO STOP ATTACKING JOURNALISTS
The Independent Broadcasting Authority -IBA- and several media organisations have urged political parties to desist from attacking journalists and instead learn to coexist.
IBA and media institutions have also urged journalists and media houses to remain objective in their reporting.
This is according to resolutions made by stakeholders who participated in the Safety of Journalists workshops in Lusaka with support from UNESCO and United Nations Development Programme – UNDP under the Democracy Strengthening in Zambia project.
The statement to ZNBC news in Lusaka has been signed by IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma, MISA Zambia Director Austin Kayanda, Media Owners Association of Zambia President Kenny Tonga and BBC Media Action Country Director Soren Johannsen.
The implementing partners on the resolutions said there is need for continued collaboration by stakeholders to ensure cases of harassment and violence against journalists are not withdrawn so that perpetrators are brought to justice.
They have also called on the Zambia Police Service to provide security to journalists and media institutions which are security installations so that they can work in harmony.
The statement further said media owners and institutions should always engage the Zambia police service whenever they host politically exposed persons or high risk programmes.
The meeting also resolved that the IBA and Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ- should work together in ensuring fair coverage of all political parties during elections.
