HH Radio Appearance Hijacked

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has described another “sad day for media freedoms, freedom of expression, and democracy in Zambia” after his planned appearance on Petauke’s Pasme Radio was brought to a halt.

In recent times several appearances by party representatives have either been cancelled or disrupted. In one incident in May PF cadres invaded Isoka Community Radio Station, interrupting a radio interview with the opposition leader, just days after Hichilema was blocked from appearing on both Mpika FM and Muchinga Community Radio in Chinsali. 

Speaking on the latest incident HH wrote on social media “We have been very cautious in the manner we want to engage our citizens due to the Coronavirus pandemic, hence our resolve to use community radios to exchange ideas with our citizens, in order to minimize the risks of community spread infection of Covid-19, that is difficult to control, once it infiltrates the ranks of our people.”

“Yesterday, our paid for Radio Programme on Petauke's Pasme Radio, in Eastern Province, was interrupted by the District Commissioner, as a matter of fact prevented from continuing. This was despite our local party officials informing the police about the programme, even if there is no such a legal requirement or obligation. Despite the fact that the programme was not live, but a rebroadcast, the District Commissioner ordered the Radio station to cease the broadcast,” he explained.

“We wonder where this level of criminality and impunity in the country under the PF has come from and where it is leading our nation to,” Hichilema asked.

“To us, if someone has contrary views to what we are saying, we encourage them to equally get on the same platform and air their views,” he continued.

“These are the kind of matters we keep reminding our citizens that any election loss is not about the UPND, it's about all of us citizens who demand restoration of order, dignity and the rule of law in the country,” Hichilema concluded.