Press Statement from Media Liaison Committee attacks on defenceless Zambian journalists
Press Statement from Media Liaison Committee attacks on defenceless Zambian journalists
Sunday, February 16, 2020
The Media Liaison Committee (MLC) would like to condemn the attack on defenceless journalists that occurred on Friday February 14, 2020 in Lusaka’s Linda township.
Journalists from Zed Entertainment TV were attacked by a mob that was enraged over some people suspected to be behind the spate of gassing that has rocked most parts of the country. Those attacked are Eric Malyangu Jnr, the head of news at the TV station, Sokosi Banda an intern journalist and a camera person Joseph Kaluba. The trio was in the township to cover the attack on the area police post by an angry mob. According to Mr Malyangu, just when the crew was about to leave, another incident erupted a few metres from the police post where the mob wanted to set ablaze a human being whom they suspected to be a ritual killer. Upon reaching the scene, the mob descended on the journalists causing multiple injuries on them. MLC condemns this babaric act from members of the the public.
MLC Chairpersn Enock Ngoma
The citizens must know that mob justice on suspects is an offence let alone attacking those on duty such as the police and the Media. The public should realise MLC also call on Media personnel to be security conscious even as they cover this gassing issue and related stories. We thank the police for acting responsibly by coming to the aid of the trio and urge them to continue ensuring that they work together with the Media. We also urge the Government to ensure peace and security are restored in the country. The deployment of the Zambia Army as a reinforcement has come with a lot of disadvantages on infringement of human rights, hence the need for peace to be restored.
Enock Ngoma – Media Liaison Committee Chairperson
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