Metro

Religious leader, Luchile, notes improvements in media freedom but faults online media abuse

Published

8 months ago

May 2, 2024

In this ongoing conversation to amplify voices on media freedoms, freedom of speech, and digital rights, we feature, Maxwell Luchile, a well-known religious leader and governance activist in Luapula province.

Luchile, the Executive Director of the Vision Network Foundation (VNF), began by acknowledging improvements in media freedoms and freedom of speech while expressing concern over social media abuse.

“At Vision Network Foundation, we see media freedom, freedom of the press, and digital rights as intertwined. Without a free press, we are suffocated as a nation and miss out on the valuable contribution of the media to national development,” he said.

Speaking with Zambia Monitor in Mansa, Luchile emphasized the vital role of the media in providing essential information to the people of Zambia.

“The media acts as a watchdog to maladministration, corruption, and other societal vices. That’s how crucial the media is,” he stressed.

Luchile observed that the media serves to inform, educate, and entertain, especially in situations like ours where access to various educational information from newspapers, radio, and television channels is essential.

He noted the rise of online newspapers in the country and emphasized the importance of a free press in maintaining democracy.

While acknowledging increased media space under the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration, Luchile called for balanced and ethical journalism that defends democracy.

“We would like to see balanced and ethical journalism in the country,” he said.

Regarding digital media, he remarked that the country was embracing technology relatively late, leading to excitement about online platforms but also mishandling of social media.

Luchile stressed the need to strengthen laws governing digital media to ensure users understand the implications of social media abuse.

“Users of digital platforms need to understand the implications of abusing social media. Cyber laws and defamation laws must be discussed,” he said.

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

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

13 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

18 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.