The Zambia Institute of Independent Media Alliance (ZIIMA) has called on all journalists across the country to blacklist the ruling PF from coverage of all events that are political in nature as they try to engage it leaders.
ZIIMA President Jajah Coulibaly said those that will cover the party must do so at their own risk.
Mr Coulibaly said it is saddened by information suggesting that Chete Fm radio station in Nakonde was teargassed by known PF cadres.
He said information suggests that the community radio station was hosting opposition UPND officials namely Rev Mathews Chilekwa and Mr George Sinkala on a paid for radio program.
Mr Coulibay said these are matters that institutions such as the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) must take interest in.
He said the act of criminality especially that party officials can have in their custody weapons that are only supposed to be in the hands of security wings such as the police.
“We would also like to urge media houses and journalists across the country to find means of owning defensive weapons and protecting themselves from any attack from any political party cadres especially that the country goes to the polls in less than four months.
“We have also observed and concluded that the head of state and the police are on the side of perpetrators of press freedom despite making statements of assuring journalists’ safety, statements we can describe as mere rhetoric,” he said.
Mr Coulibay said ZIIMA is also appealing to the President’s conscious on assenting to the Cyber Crimes and Security bill that passed the third reading and urge him not to append his signature as any human rights abuse that will come as a result of this bill will be blamed on him.
