Maria Kayumba, a second-year student at Kapasa Makasa University, has raised concerns over the increasing prevalence of cyberbullying in Zambia despite the enactment of the Cyber Security Act.

Kayumba, who is studying Information and Communications Technology, said that cyberbullying was hindering freedom of expression and media freedoms in the country.

Speaking from Chinsali District in Muchinga Province, Kayumba highlighted that numerous individuals, especially celebrities, face daily harassment online.

Despite the opportunity for people to engage in governance discussions through social media platforms like Facebook and others, many fear the repercussions.

In an interview with Zambia Monitor in Chinsali, Kayumba called on authorities such as the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) to intensify efforts to combat this growing trend.

She noted that while people were increasingly engaging in political discourse, the fear of legal action discouraged critical commentary on government officials.

Addressing media’s coverage of marginalised communities, Kayumba affirmed that journalists collaborate with organizations implementing projects in rural areas.

She argued that media freedom existed in Zambia, as evidenced by the collaborations that shed light on the needs of underserved populations.

However, Kayumba also pointed the harassment of journalists as a significant challenge to media freedom and freedom of association.

She noted that journalists, both in mainstream media and on social media platforms, often live in fear for their safety, which hampers their ability to work effectively.

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

Nsama Kearns, the Executive Director of Care for Nature, speaks on the indispensable role of a free media in society.

In a conversation with Zambia Monitor in Mansa, Luapula Province, Kearns underscored the importance of media freedoms, digital rights, and freedom of speech in enhancing good governance.

“Let me begin with the criticality of media freedom, especially for those of us involved in information dissemination through mass media, including social media,” she remarked.

While acknowledging the existence of media freedoms in Zambia, Kearns expressed concerns about the prevailing situation.

“Despite media freedoms in Zambia, as reported in the 2022 human rights report, there are instances where the government may display intolerance towards criticism, especially if perceived as politically motivated,” she observed.

Regarding freedom of speech, Kearns emphasized the necessity for individuals to express themselves without fear of reprisal.

“Whether communicating through written or oral means, individuals should be able to express themselves freely without intimidation or fear of repercussions,” she stressed.

Kearns highlighted the significance of freedom of expression in enabling civil society to address issues that might be inconvenient for the government.

“For instance, in Luapula Province, longstanding issues such as illegal mining and the Mukula tree trade, involving politically exposed persons, have been challenging to address,” she explained.

Despite challenges, Kearns noted the positive impact of digital media in driving social enterprise.

However, she also highlighted the prevalence of abuse, particularly targeting women, on social media platforms.

“While digital media presents opportunities for social entrepreneurship, individuals, especially women, often face abuse online, hindering their enjoyment of human rights,” Kearns lamented.

She called for the creation of safe spaces to empower individuals to report abuse to the Zambia Information Communication Authority (ZICTA) and address issues of digital media abuse and intolerance effectively.

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