The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia chairperson Fr Frank Bwalya condemned the attacks against The Post newspaper by Patriotic Front President Mr Michael Sata in his press briefing on 30 September 2006 where he alleged that the newspaper was biased against him in its coverage of the Presidential poll results. MISA further condemned the demonstration by PF cadres at The Post Newspaper offices on the same day.
Mr Sata’s personal attacks on Post Newspaper editor Fred M’membe and his newspaper were regrettable, MISA noted, given the reality that the newspaper carried the story complained about after voting had ended.
"There was nothing wrong with the Newspaper’s report that President Levy Mwanawasa and the MMD were likely to scoop the Presidential elections and also to dominate parliament going by the trend the newspaper had observed," Fr Bwalya said, adding: "We think that Mr Sata should not direct his anger towards The Post newspaper and its editor. Attacking The Post Newspaper, for us, is like “Shooting the Messenger.” The action of the PF leader and cadres amounts to intimidation and is a violation of the right of The Post Newspaper to report freely on matters of public interest. In publishing MMD’s prediction of victory, The Post newspaper was merely performing its duty to inform the public. Therefore, we see nothing wrong in the action of the Post."
MISA Zambia passionately appealed to Mr. Sata and the PF cadres to channel their complaints through, what it termed official channels such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) or other means including legal redress.
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