Reporter Sheila Kalunga Beaten By Political Party Supporters

On April 8, a team of journalists from Serenje Radio was violently attacked while reporting on a standoff between supporters of rival political parties UPND and the Socialist Party. Sheila Kalunga, Male Kapema, and Enoch Champo were covering a protest at a police station when approximately 20 UPND supporters attacked them. The crowd, most wearing UPND emblems, punched and kicked the three Serenje Radio employees. Kalunga was kicked three times in the back. “I sought medical attention at Serenje hospital, but I’m still in pain,” Kalunga told CPJ. “My back was hurt from the kicks they unleashed on me,” Police quickly intervened and stopped the assault. The journalists filed complaints, but no arrests have been made. The Committee To Protect Journalists has expressed alarm at the “politically motivated violence against journalists in Zambia.” Local press freedom organizations MISA Zambia and Serenje Radio have called for politicians to condemn attacks on journalists and investigate the incident. Radio Explorer reporter Charles Chimwemwe Banda was hospitalized following an assault by UPND supporters on April 8th. Six party supporters accused Banda of trying to take down the government and violently beat him. In February 2022, journalist Petty Chanda faced a criminal investigation for reporting on leaked audio of UPND government officials threatening to ban the Socialist Party from running in a local by-election. Chanda was detained and interrogated by police. Press freedom has improved in Zambia since the election of UPND’s President Hakainde Hichilema in 2021. However, political party supporters' latest violent attacks on journalists are worrying. Political leaders have a responsibility to denounce these attacks and ensure the press is free to report on demonstrations without fear of assault. The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls on President Hakainde Hichilema to strongly condemn the actions of his party’s supporters. We offer support and solidarity to Sheila Kalunga and hope justice will be served. We demand Zambian police investigate, identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this attack immediately. We urge Zambian authorities to ensure press safety at protests and protect journalists from future threats and attacks.