By PASSY HAACHIZO –
LUSAKA Province deputy Police commissioner Edwin Bwanga has warned of stern action against anyone found harassing journalists.
Mr Bwanga said journalists should be allowed to perform their duties freely without being harassed
“Journalists on duty are like any other individuals like police, security guards, soldiers to mention but a few, but it has become a habit to harass them especially when they write stories which some people dont agree, theirs is a noble cause and let us support them,” he said.
Mr Bwanga emphasised that the police would apprehend anyone harassing journalists whose main duty was to report issues affecting members of the public.
He said there was no room for lawbreakers whose aim was to deter journalists from doing their work professionally.
Journalists have become easy prey for mischievous cadres and members of the public especially those involved in questionable deeds.
The warning follows the alleged assaulting of two Muvi television reporters, Njenje Chizu and Charlotte Sichunda on December 21.
He said the attack on the duo who were covering a protest by workers at (Zambia Postal Services) Zampost was uncalled for.
“We recorded a warn and caution statement from a Zampost chief security officer on Tuesday who is alleged to have harassed innocent journalists that had gone to cover the protest,” Mr Bwanga said.
And Mr Chizu said it was very unfortunate that the officer had chosen to harass innocent journalists.
“We were just trying to get a story on the protest when this officer from Zampost assaulted us but we shall not budge because  our duty is to inform the public,” Mr Chizu said.