Metro

Zambia’s media freedom: Progress amid new threats

Published

3 months ago

August 16, 2024

For democracy to flourish, a robust policy environment is essential to liberate the media from excessive control and manipulation.

Since the return to multiparty democracy and economic liberalism 33 years ago, Zambia has made notable progress in media freedom, despite some lingering challenges.

Media pluralism, driven by critical reforms, has increased access to various media platforms.

However, gaining access to public media remains an uphill battle for those holding views contrary to the ruling class.

The rise of digital and social media platforms has also added a unique and revolutionary impetus to media freedoms, providing a space for diverse voices that traditional media often failed to offer.

The enactment of the Access to Information (ATI) law is a promising development, ensuring media freedoms through unhindered access to critical public information.

According to MISA Zambia, the ATI law marks “a historic milestone for media freedom and transparency in Zambia after two decades of relentless advocacy and discussion.

“MISA Zambia commended this significant achievement, noting that it reflects “a positive step towards fostering an open and informed society and a transparent government.”

However, concerns are emerging with the introduction of laws such as the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act of 2021 and the proposed amendments to the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Act, which includes fees for online broadcasting.

These developments cast a dark cloud over the progress made in creating space for media freedom in the country.

President Hakainde Hichilema recently announced that his Cabinet has proposed amending laws to stiffen punishment for those promoting hate speech in the country.

The proposed amendments will be taken to parliament, and the President urged lawmakers “to do the right thing to deter people from promoting discrimination against any grouping.”

Stakeholders, however, feel that hate speech laws are mainly used to clamp down on dissent, making them an affront to media freedom and freedom of expression.

On the other hand, the cybercrime law provides rules of conduct and standards for the use of the Internet, computers, and related digital technologies by the public, government, and private organizations.

It also covers rules of evidence, criminal procedure, and other criminal justice matters in cyberspace.

Critics argue that the law is used by the ruling class to suppress critical voices in the online space.

The Zambian government’s recent announcement that it will require licensing of online media has raised concerns among rights activists, who see it as an infringement on freedom of expression and speech.

Recently, the government revealed plans to revise the IBA Act to regulate online broadcasting and podcasts.

Although the government insists that licensing online media is only meant to protect citizens and victims of cybercrimes, activists warn that such a move would infringe on the right to freedom of expression.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, stated that the proposed law would “help fight cybercrime, coordinate cybersecurity matters, develop relevant skills and help promote the responsible use of social media platforms.”

He added that: “The government does not intend to introduce any legislation intended to stifle citizens’ enjoyment of their freedoms of expression and speech on social media.”

However, Richard Mulonga, Chief Executive Officer of Bloggers of Zambia, argued that regulating online media “should be avoided in all cases as it does not align with democratic values.”

He emphasized that: “In as much as we recognise the need for enhanced internet legislation to make the online spaces safe and secure for all, there’s a need for these laws and policies to be democratic.

They must be specific, and they must enhance online rights and freedoms rather than silence citizens’ activities on the internet.”

Molina also noted that the term “abuse of social media” has been weaponized to justify the creation of new “laws that can be used to target citizens on the internet.”

DW TV quoted Modern Muyembe, Media Development Director at the Ministry of Information and Media, as saying that the amended law would require online broadcasting companies to acquire an operating license costing more than US$1,000 annually to operate online.

This, will undoubtedly affect media freedom, as few will afford this amount.

In summary, Zambia’s media freedom is a “mixed bag” where there is room for improvement, but also a risk of regressing if restrictive laws, such as the proposed IBA Act, are enacted.

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

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Metro

Nigerian Senate confirms influx of terrorists from Mali, Burkina Faso into the country

Published

5 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian Senate has raised the alarm over the influx of terrorists from Mali and Burkina Faso who operate in the name of Lakurawa, into Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger States in the northern parts of the country.

The Upper Chamber, which raised the alarm during plenary on Wednesday, called on the military to set up early warning mechanisms to forestall further incursions by terrorist groups as well as maintain presence and vigilance in the affected communities to halt the activities of the terror group from spreading further across the region.

The resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion titled, “Urgent need for the federal government to take stringent measures to stop the infiltration of a group of violent terrorists, known as Lakurawa, from entrenching themselves in some northwest states of Sokoto and Kebbi,” and was sponsored by the senator representing Kebbi North, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, and co- sponsored by Senators Adamu Aliero, from Kebbi Central, and Garba Musa Maidoki, representing Kebbi South.

While presenting the motion, Senator Abdullahi said:

“The Senate is aware that a group of terrorists from neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, known as Lakurawa, has infiltrated the country through the Nigeria-Niger border, at Illela, Tangaza and Silame Local Government Areas of Sokoto and are from there, attacking communities in Augie and Arewa LGAs in Kebbi State.

“Recall that this violent gang of terrorists had raided and dispossessed these communities, prior to the large-scale invasion of Mera, a village in Augie Local Government, on November 8, 2024, killing more than 20 people and fleeing with their livestock, amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.

“Senate is aware that Kebbi State government promptly responded by sending a delegation with relief materials to the affected villages and assistance to the families of the deceased.

“Aware that Senator Yahaya A. Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi North Central) and Senator Garba Musa Maidoki (Kebbi South), along with some members of the House of Representatives from Kebbi State, have been to those areas, to commiserate with victims of the attacks on behalf of the National Assembly.

“Aware that if timely, adequate and decisive measures are not taken, this group can spread its reign of terror to other northern parts of the country and beyond.

“Notes the prompt response of the ministry of defence and the armed forces who despatched a well-armed military response squad that was able to dislodge the terrorists and secured the release of herds of cattle and other livestock stolen by the terrorists. These foreigners have invaded the country.

“We need to nip the situation in the bud, they have international connections, heavily armed with very dangerous weapons, the federal government should take the matter very seriously.

‘These terrorists are well armed with highly sophisticated weapons, this is a very serious matter on national security, they control the whole of Northern Mali and now attacking Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger, and others. The time to act is now, we have to take action on how to tame terrorism.”

He said the Senate should revisit past resolutions on terrorism and send them to the Presidency for immediate action.

”I want us to recall what happened in the 8th and 9th Senates. We discussed extensively how we can stem the tide of banditry and terrorism. We made far-reaching recommendations, and we asked the Executive arm of government to implement those resolutions.

“It is still relevant for us to insist that those resolutions should be implemented, if we do so, it will reduce the incidences of banditry and insurgency in the country. We can reduce it to the barest minimum.”

Metro

Wanted Zambian MP who escaped from prison custody captured in Harare

Published

23 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A fugitive Zambian Member of Parliament (MP), Emmanuel Banda, who escaped from custody at the Chipata Prison in Eastern Province has been captured in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he had been in hiding in a rented apartment.

Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister, Jack Mwiimbu, who confirmed the apprehension of the Petauke Central lawmaker during a media briefing held at the Ministry Headquarters in Lusaka on Tuesday, said Banda had escaped from lawful custody in August this year where he was facing aggravated robbery charges and was being held by Zambia Correctional Service while awaiting court appearance as he had been committed to the high court.

Zambia Monitor reports that after Banda’s escape, his wife, Lombe Chali, was arrested and charged with aiding a prisoner to escape, with the police assuring the public that no stone would be left unturned as they worked to ensure justice was served.

While addressing the press conference, Mwiimbu said:

“Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda was renting a flat in Harare and did not give himself up willingly during his arrest by the Zimbabwean law enforcement agencies.”

The Minister also accused the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) of knowing the whereabouts of Banda and were allegedly communicating with him during the time of his disappearance which can be seen from the several statements which had been made.

Mwiimbu said the PF members that include former president Edgar Lungu had made statements accusing government’s involvement in his disappearance and suggesting that they knew about Banda’s whereabouts.

“Now that he has been captured, Emmanuel Banda will now tell us the truth about how he escaped from custody. We learnt of Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda’s whereabouts two weeks ago and discovered that he was enjoying good health,” he stated.

Mwiimbu stated that the Zambian authorities were collaborating very well with their Zimbabwean counterparts, saying Banda was apprehended by security officials from that country.

He also emphasized that the Zambian government was putting up measures to ensure Banda’s return to Zambia had no security lapses.

“The government wants to know who facilitated his escape, who has been facilitating his wife’s visit to Harare to those flats now that he has been captured,” Mwiimbu said.

In May 2024, Banda was reported missing and his vehicle found abandoned with shattered windshield and a note apologising to Zambians.

Following his escape, the Zambia Police placed a K2 million bounty on Banda, who had escaped from lawful custody while receiving treatment at Chipata General Hospital in Eastern Province.

According to Mwiimbu, Banda now faces an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody.