Chama Mwansa, Executive Director of the Chandarika Women and Youths Foundation, has attributed media biases to the similarities in coverage between private and state-owned media outlets.

Mwansa spoke with Zambia Monitor in an interview in Mansa, Luapula province.

She dwelt on the importance of media freedom, freedom of speech, and digital rights in promoting social and economic development.

Mwansa said, “The media plays a crucial role in society. Media freedom allows for comprehensive coverage of various perspectives, whether from the opposition or the ruling party.”

She noted the importance of media partnerships in facilitating coverage of events such as International Women’s Day, emphasizing the necessity of media freedom for objective reporting.

However, Mwansa pointed out issues contributing to media bias in the country, noting the tendency for certain media outlets to be perceived as aligned with either the government or the opposition.

This alignment, she argued, could limit journalists’ ability to cover events objectively, as they may face obstacles based on perceived biases.

Regarding freedom of expression, Mwansa emphasized the need to address the underlying causes of media bias, which can inhibit individuals from expressing themselves freely without fear of being labeled.

She called for a mindset shift to promote freedom of expression, particularly within the NGO sector, where individuals may face undue criticism based on perceived political affiliations.

On the topic of digital rights, Mwansa highlighted the benefits her organization has experienced, particularly through social media platforms like Facebook.

She noted that social media had enabled increased visibility of their activities and facilitated the reporting of gender-based violence cases that were previously hidden.

Mwansa noted the importance of media freedom, freedom of expression, and digital rights in fostering a more inclusive and informed society and called for a collective effort to address biases and promote a more balanced media landscape.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

At least 118 inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, in northern Nigeria, have reportedly escaped from the prison facility after a heavy downpour on Wednesday night wreaked havoc on the center.

Spokesman for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Adamu Duza, who confirmed the prison break to journalists on Thursday, said the downpour caused severe damage to the custodial centre’s infrastructure, including a breach in the perimeter fence, which allowed the inmates to flee.

Duza, however, noted that the the NCoS acted swiftly by activating its recapturing protocols and with the collaboration of other security agencies, were able to recapture 10 of the escaped inmates, while efforts to rearrest the remaining fleeing inmates are ongoing.

“A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying parts of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of 118 inmates of the facility,” the statement said.

“The service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies, has so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot pursuit to recapture the rest.

“The service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak. The Service is making frantic efforts to ensure that all aging facilities give way to modern ones.

“The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, wishes to assure the public that the service is on top of the situation and that they should go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance,” the statement added.

Duza further encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or sightings of escaped inmates to the nearest security agency.