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Pan-African media platform Zambia Monitor wins $10,000 Advothon prize for media freedom

Published

1 month ago

March 25, 2024

Popular pan-African online multimedia newspaper, Zambia Monitor, has emerged winner of a $10,000 prize for an Advothon Project that seeks to “increase the ability of human rights defenders and media associations to carry out advocacy that demands digital rights, freedom of expression and media freedom in Zambia.”

The Advothon Project, which is funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its Open Spaces Zambia (OSZ) platform, selected Zambia Monitor as a winner after months of a rigorous defence of its pitch titled, “Project Aliyense”.

While making the announcement in a letter notifying the media platform of its win, Internews, working with a local coordinating agency, MISA, acknowledged the project idea as “outstanding and able to strengthen the democratic foundations of freedom of speech and assembly, as envisioned by the donors.”

“The project aims to build independent and new media, safeguard a space for activists, Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), and contending voices to protect the democratic space in Zambia,” the organizers noted in the letter.

“This is a multimedia digital advocacy project that seeks to advance the cause of media freedom, freedom of expression and digital rights in Zambia through the broad inclusion of diverse voices from across the country.

“We believe every voice counts and every voice should be amplified to advocate for media freedom in the country,” the letter stated.

According to the Managing Editor of Zambia Monitor, Maimbolwa Mulikelela, the project execution would see Zambia Monitor accommodate voices from across the country, ranging from students in secondary schools and higher institutions, to toiling artisans in the shadows and respected opinion leaders, raising a chorus of voices to inspire change for nation building.

“Project Aliyense would take the form of audio-visual street interviews, articles and social media campaigns, and through its One Voice a Day initiative, would amplify media freedom issues, bridging law, access to information, resistance to legitimate enquiry, and the underlying universal principle of freedom of expression,” she said.

“It would also incorporate cartoons, videos, pictures, infographics, audio, and text, all of which would be neatly interwoven to drive the message, broadening access and empowering stakeholders to be the key drivers of the advocacy.”

Mulikelela added that the “Project Aliyense speaks to the news organization’s editorial stance which notes that opinions are free, but that facts are sacred”.

“The award represents a major milestone for the young news platform, as it was won in its first year of existence,” an elated Mulikelela said.

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Metro

Nigerian troops neutralise 216 terrorists, arrest 332 in one week— Official

Published

17 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Nigerian Army Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops from different operation theaters across the country neutralised 216 terrorists and arrested 332 persons in the past one week.

A report released on Sunday morning by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed that troops also succeeded in arresting 24 “perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 161 kidnapped hostages across the country” in the week under review.

Buba noted that troops in the Niger Delta region denied oil thieves crude estimated to be worth the sum of Four Hundred and Forty Eight Million Five Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Five Hundred and Ninety Naira.

According to the Army spokesman, troops in the oil rich region also discovered and destroyed 97 dugout pits, six boats, 20 storage tanks, two receivers, 16 drums and seven vehicles used in oil bunkering activities.

“Other items recovered incl 174 cooking ovens, one pumping machine and 8 illegal refining sites,” the report noted.

“Troops recovered 533,127 litres of stolen crude oil and 24,520 litres of illegally refined AGO,” he said.

Gen. Buba said that in other operation theatres, troops recovered 234 assorted weapons and 5,994 assorted ammunition.

“A breakdown of the discoveries include 131 AK47 rifles, 3 PKT guns, one M16 rifle, 43 locally fabricated gun, 21 dane guns, one 105mm gun, 2 automatic pump action guns, 18 locally fabricated pistols, 8 single barrel guns, 2 automatic pump action guns, one LG4 bomb, one MG skeleton, 3 explosive IED case, one MOWAG APC, one 81mm mortar tripod stand

“Others are; 3,120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,195 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 211 rounds of 9mm ammo, 99 rounds of 7.62 x 25mm ammo, 467 live cartridges, one rifle butt, 15 magazines, 2 baofeng radios, 10 vehicles, 38 motorcycles, 43 mobile phones and the sum of N871,500.00 amongst other items.”

He reiterated that the military is going to continue to be very kinetic and strong against terrorists in ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations across the country.

“Indeed, we will banish and defeat terrorism from the nation rather than bow to it.

“Troops are maintaining the momentum in neutralizing the terrorist leaders and commanders. Indeed, we remain focused in fighting for the basic safety and security of citizens of this country,” he added.

Metro

Mapanza traditional council shares positive outlook on media rights, freedom of expression

Published

1 day ago

April 27, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Jonathan Muchindu, a representative of the Traditional Council of Mapanza Chiefdom in Choma District, Southern Province, Zambia, asserts that the media in Zambia currently enjoys “total” freedom of expression.

Muchindu attributed this position to the advancement of civilization, which he identified as a significant factor in ensuring media freedom.

He emphasized the role of the media in providing citizens with the necessary information to make informed decisions.

In an exclusive interview with Zambia Monitor in Choma, Muchindu, who also serves as the Director of the Zambia Corruption Prevention Watchdog, described the media and its content as essential elements akin to “food on the table.”

“We are truly privileged to witness the advancements in civilization. Previously, the media was confined to the hands of a few individuals, and its reach was limited.

“However, with the advent of technology, accessing news through various platforms such as radio and television has become commonplace.

“The media has evolved into an indispensable source of information, and its participation is now integral to our daily lives,” he remarked.

When questioned about the operational landscape of the media, Muchindu expressed confidence that no media entity currently faces undue interference or censorship.

“From our perspective, both in rural villages and urban centers, we have not encountered instances where journalists or media outlets have been subjected to harassment or undue influence.

“This collaborative effort had ushered in a sense of enlightenment among the populace, allowing for open discourse on governance matters, particularly in the realm of politics.

“The media enjoyed the same freedoms as ordinary citizens, and there is unequivocal liberty in its expression,” Muchindu concluded.

The declaration by the Traditional Council of Mapanza Chiefdom underscored a positive outlook on media freedom in Zambia and reaffirmed the critical role of the media in fostering informed public discourse.

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