Global crimes against journalists worry Zambia’s Media Liaison Committee Chairperson Enock Ngoma

Freelance Journalist Stephen Kanta with then 5FM 89.9FM News Editor Patrick Soko with Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) Permanent Secretary (PS) Engineer Misheck Lungu Saturdau 15th August 2020 at Raddison Blu Hotel – Picture by Derrick Sinjela. Note: Patrick Soko is now working for CAMNET Television in Lusaka

Global crimes against journalists worry Zambia’s Media Liaison Committee Chairperson Enock Ngoma

By Derrick Sinjela

THE Zambian Media Liaison Committee (MLC) joined the rest of the world in commemorating ‘The International Day to end Impunity for Crimes against Journalists which falls annually  on November 2, under the auspices of the United Nations, desiring a better and safer reporting environment for pen-pushers and media workers.

The Zambian Media Liaison Committee Chairperson Enock Ngoma called on political players, the police and the general citizenry to desist from harassing journalists during the course of their reporting duty.

In a Monday 2nd November, 2020
MLC Media Statement on ‘The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists’, Mr. Ngoma worried that journalist in Zambia had become endangered species as harassment came time without number from all angles.

“We urge media houses and individual journalists to desist from a tendency of withdrawing assault or harassment cases reported to the police or already before the courts of law as this ‘complacency’ will encourage would be offenders to perpetrate the crimes against journalists,” advised Ngoma.

Zambian Media Liaison Committee Chairperson Enock Ngoma

The MLC Chairperson prodded media houses and individuals to remain professional and ethical in their reportage so that the public can always have trust in disseminated.

Ngoma regretted to learn that in the past 14 years, since 2006, 1, 200 journalists world-wide had been killed for reporting the news and bringing information to the public.

Sadly, according to Ngoma nine out of 10 of the alluded to 1, 200 cases, the killers went scot-free and unpunished.

“This is a very sad development hence the need for Zambian journalists to ensure that the due process of the law is followed when aggrieved without resorting to withdrawing of cases,” noted Ngoma.

Ngoma says Zambian journalists need protection 284 days ahead of the Thursday 12th August 2021 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Election, when electronic and print media practitioners become targets of overzealous politicians and their cadres.

“The MLC is hopeful that the Government shall act decisively to ensure the safety of journalists at all times,” said Ngoma reiterating that the MLC remained hopeful that the draft Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) Bill of 2019, currently with the Ministry of Justice for scrutiny, shall be enacted into law before the 2021 elections, as such a decisive move would act as proactive measures to protect journalists.

Genderlinks Training Lusaka Zambia Sunday 30th August 2020 pix by Rainbow Newspaper Zambia

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