Police say the safety and security of journalists is non-negotiable, stressing that journalists must be free to operate without fear of harassment or intimidation.
Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the relationship between the police and the media is interdependent, adding that without the media, the work of the police remains unseen and misunderstood.
He was speaking at the official opening of the Southern Province Joint Police-Media Dialogue Forumheld in Livingstone with support from Bloggers of Zambia and Diakonia Zambia.
Livingstone Mayor Constance Muleabai in a speech read on her behalf by Deputy Mayor Robert Wandila, said the media and police are both essential for peacebuilding and ensuring security in a democracy. She further urged the media to remain professional.
Bloggers of Zambia CEO Richard Mulonga said the forum’s objective is to enhance the safety of journalists, while Diakonia Zambia Programs Manager Maimbo Kalenge emphasized the importance of dialogue, noting that both groups play a vital role in advancing democracy and governance.
Meanwhile, Livingstone Press Club Secretary General Mweendalubi Maumbi said the police and media share a common duty of serving citizens, protecting communities, and promoting accountability.