Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) Pastoral Statement on Radio Stations attacks in Muchinga Province

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All correspondence to be addressed to the General Secretary

PASTORAL STATEMENT ON RADIO STATIONS ATTACKS IN MUCHINGA

Saturday 23rd May 2020
LUSAKA

THE Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) is deeply dismayed and concerned over the continued intimidation and attacks on the media by the State and ruling party cadres respectively.

We have noted with sadness the attacks on Muchinga, Mpika and Isoka Radio Stations by suspected ruling party sponsored cadres and a District Commissioner to disrupt on-going radio programmes featuring opposition UPND President Hakainde Hichilema.

As a Church we have spoken against media freedom suppression by the State for many years now and it is disappointing to note that the same things we have condemned have continued to happen with impunity.

The continued suppression of media freedoms and the denying of the right to information is not only unconstitutional but is also a disservice to democracy.

We would like to categorically state that as CCZ we are deeply disturbed by the repeated incidents of ambushing media houses that are hosting political competitors.

Zambia is a democracy and, in a democracy, no individual has the right to deny citizens freedom of expression and the right of citizens to access information.

Every citizen from any region of the country is free to discuss matters of national interest on any media house anywhere across the country freely.

Political party leaders, especially those in the ruling party, must ensure that they tame their cadres who are increasingly becoming a threat to press freedom in Zambia.

It is these small pockets of violence which seem insignificant that have the potential to escalate into civil wars if the oppressed parties decide to retaliate with the same measure.

Biblically, we are warned to watch out for the little foxes that have a potential to destroy the harvest.

“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom,” (Song of Solomon 2:15).

Political leaders must never tolerate such injustice to be done on others if they themselves would not like the same injustice to be done on them.

In the Book of Luke 6:31 Jesus Christ instructed us to do for others the very things we would love others to do for us.

Also, in Galatians 6:7-8 we are told not to be deceived for God cannot be mocked.

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life”.

Therefore, this practice of allowing ruling party cadres by the State to attack media houses and political competitors with impunity has to stop with immediate effect if what they do on others is not what they would desire to be done on them.
We demand speedy investigations in the reported cases in Muchinga, Mpika and Isoka and all culprits must be dealt with in accordance with the law to deter perpetrators of such crimes from carrying out such acts in future.

And while investigations are on-going, we urge authorities to ensure full security is given to the media to ensure the smooth discharge of their duties.

We are also in complete disagreement with the advice from the IBA Director’s suggestion that some stakeholders must have their programs pre-recorded while others should enjoy unrestricted live coverage.

No stakeholder in a democratic dispensation is more special than others. If it is pre-recorded programs then all stakeholders must have their programs pre-recorded and vice versa.

Stand No. 377A, Ecumenical Centre
Bishop Road, Kabulonga
P.O. Box 30315 Lusaka – Zambia Tel: 260-211-267744
Tel/Fax: 260-211-267740 E-mail: irifo@ccz.org.zm www.ccz.org.zm
It is often said that history will judge us not only for what we said and did in times of contention, but also for our silence.

It is important, therefore, that those of us who stand ready at all times to stand with the oppressed in society teach the high ideals and responsibilities of the media and raise our voices when one or more media houses come under attack.

As CCZ, we will not sit and watch the seemingly powerful continue committing heinous crimes against the democratic tenets in the nation.

We shall continue to stand with the oppressed and condemn every injustice committed.

In conclusion, we reiterate our call to the State to re-open Prime TV and allow it to operate in the spirit of promoting media freedom and access to diverse information as news content.

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ZAMBIA

Rev. Canon Emmanuel Chikoya
GENERAL SECRETARY