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Media under siege: How political agendas threaten truthful reporting in Zambia

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The fundamental principles of ethical journalism—objectivity, precision, accuracy, conscience, fairness, impartiality, humanity, transparency and serving the public interest—are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the profession.

These principles can only be fully realised when a story is entirely truthful, as truth is one of the most essential qualities a journalist must uphold.

Bill Kovach, co-author of “The Elements of Journalism,” strongly advocated for what he described as journalistic ‘truth.’

“Journalistic truth is a process that begins with the professional discipline of assembling and verifying facts,” he stated.

Organizations like the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) also emphasise truth as the cornerstone of ethical journalism in their Code of Ethics.

Although no single person can claim ownership of this idea, it was a fundamental principle embedded in journalism’s ethical framework.

This raises a critical question: Why is a profession dedicated to uncovering the truth often among the most persecuted? The answer is straightforward: some individuals prefer not to have their personal truths exposed publicly.

While everyone has a right to privacy, public offices and the management of public resources are not exempt from scrutiny.

In Zambia, for instance, information from public offices was accessible if the correct legal procedures are followed, including by journalists.

The situation changes dramatically when political agendas take precedence over democratic freedoms.

State efforts to control the media manifest through monitoring, censorship and restrictions on what journalists can report and how they should report it.

“In Zambia, media freedom has been increasingly under threat during election periods, with journalists being barred from covering certain events or facing harassment,” Reporters Without Borders noted.

This threat was exemplified by the suspension of Zambia’s private media house Prime TV, which occurred shortly after the Patriotic Front party, led by former President Edgar Lungu, accused it of bias and broadcasting “propaganda disguised as news.”

Arnaud Froger, head of RSF’s Africa desk, criticized the suspension, arguing that it reflected the media regulator’s role as a government tool.

He stated that such actions deprived many Zambians of a critical news source and undermined media pluralism essential for credible elections.

“The Zambian authorities must stop penalising the media and must terminate this arbitrary suspension immediately,” Froger urged.

The International Federation of Journalists reported that journalists investigating corruption in Zambia face severe challenges, including threats and intimidation.

These actions created a chilling effect on the media’s ability to hold power to account.

In Zambia, ethical journalism is often constrained by political interference, particularly regarding sensitive topics such as political reporting, corruption involving political figures, legal and administrative barriers, and interference by security forces.

While journalists are legally free to report on these issues, the involvement of certain individuals or groups often creates barriers.

The United Party for National Development (UPND) claims that journalists are free to report on such matters without fear.

Although all political groups make similar claims, the reality of whether the UPND will genuinely allow independent journalistic operations without seeking public relations benefits remains to be seen.

The true test of this commitment will likely become clearer in the 2025-2026 period.

This story is sponsored by Project Aliyense.

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Zambia: APP leader lampoons PF over pledge to reverse forfeited properties

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Leader of one of Zambia’s opposition parties, Advocates for People’s Prosperity (APP), Mwenye Musenge, has criticised the Patriotic Front (PF) over its promise to reverse forfeited properties if the party won the 2026 presidential election.

Musenge, who was reacting to a statement credited to the PF Member of Parliament (MP) for Lukashya Province, George Chisanga, described the PF’s promise as a betrayal, saying the declaration had exposed the party’s disregard for accountability and justice.

The APP leader, who spoke to Zambia Monitor in a telephone interview from Kitwe, expressed shock that Chisanga, a former Law Association of Zambia president, would endorse what he termed a “regressive agenda,” accusing the PF of prioritising the protection of corrupt individuals over the welfare of citizens.

“This declaration reveals the PF’s true intentions, returning to power not to serve Zambians, but to shield their corrupt network and restore stolen assets,” Musenge said.

He alleged that former President Edgar Lungu’s consistent calls to protect his family, who he claimed cannot explain their amassed wealth, further demonstrate the party’s self-serving mission.

Musenge further described the PF as “a political carcass animated by greed and nostalgia for its days of unchecked looting,” and accused its leaders of leaving Zambia impoverished while enriching themselves.

“Allowing them near power again would be akin to handing a butcher’s knife to a thief already drenched in the blood of the nation’s resources.

“The PF represents everything wrong with Zambian politics—a relic of the past clinging to survival through recycled lies and corrupt agendas,” he added.

Musenge went on to call for the party to be permanently eradicated, saying it had no vision, morality, or credibility to serve Zambians.

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

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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.”

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