The Editor Zambia
The attack on journalist Alfonso Kasongo by suspected UPND cadres should be condemned, and appropriate punishment should be meted out to the offenders.
The attack on a journalist is a serious infringement on media rights, and it’s right that media houses are demanding punishment for the offenders. 
Following the assault of journalist, Kasongo, the Media Owners Association of Zambia (MOAZ) has threatened the rulling party with a national media black out.
MOAZ should not apply double standards but should instead deal with this matter in a more sober manner.
MOAZ should act swiftly to protect journalists, but a blackout targeting the ruling party does not solve the situation at hand.
President Hakainde Hichilema has committed to safeguarding press freedom, emphasizing the media’s crucial role in a vibrant democracy.
President Hichilema has been very categorical on violence, stating that it has no place in modern society and whoever participates does so at their own peril.
However, some members within the association have distanced themselves from the said blackout, saying they are only calling for justice for Kasongo.
MOAZ’s threat of a national media blackout on the party and government activities is tantamount to blackmail.
MOAZ should not use this incident to push their own interests.
Media owners must be real. Most media owners don’t even care about the welfare of their journalists. They pay their journalists the lowest wages.
The institution should not blackmail or armtwist the government over one incident, which can be handled by law enforcement agencies.
MOAZ should be more concerned with deteriorating living conditions of journalists because most scribes in Zambia are paid peanuts.
Zambian journalists are among the lowest-paid, especially those working in the private sector. Some journalists earn as little as K900 per month while others get K3,000 per month.
MOAZ will always fight an institution that wants to pay decent salaries. The attack on the journalist should be condemned but it should not be used out to armtwist the government. Instead, MOAZ should ensure that the culprits are brought before the law.
MOAZ should encourage dialogue with the government and avoid combative approach to resolving differences.
One would wonder what could have happened to engagements the media owners enjoyed with the government, even State House.
It is a known fact that Media has had several cordial engagements with this government in the recent party.
Media owners should also use this moment to demand clearer protections for journalists and consequences for those who attack them.
Over the weekend, a video went viral of Kasongo, the Power FM news editor, splinting to escape some unruly suspected cadres in UPND regalia, who, ashamedly marched towards him with a teaser and inflicted pain on the senior journalist.
