THE Zambia Institute of Independent Media Alliance (ZIIMA) has express concern with the increasing number of acts by State actors shrinking the space for media practitioners.
The Media Body said in a statement that the situation is creating an environment which criminalizes the practice of critical and good journalism.
ZIIMA said it has witnessed a sharp rise in threats and physical attacks on journalists in the last two years, under the United Party for National Development (UPND) government.
ZIIMA Consultant Willson Pondamali said this is despite the Republican President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND Party’s assurances during inauguration for a safe working environment for the Media.
Mr. Pondamali cited the recent event where Stafrance Zulu and Conrad Chikweto who are journalists at the Zambia Daily Mail, who were fired for taking pictures of Zambians lining up to buy mealie- meal which was in short supply at the time.
He reminded the UPND on their mandate upon being ushered into office in the August 2021 elections after campaigning on a platform promising enhanced freedom and democracy.
“we advised the UPND government to reconsider the negative stance it has taken towards journalism practitioners, and work to provide an environment that enhances media freedom so that the fourth estate can contribute positively to improved governance in Zambia,” he said.
