Metro

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

Published

3 months ago

September 13, 2024

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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Metro

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

Published

2 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.

Metro

Nigerian activist remanded in prison for threatening President’s son

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Nigerian court has ordered a female activist, Olamide Thomas, to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly issuing a death threat to President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday delivered the ruling after Olamide was arraigned by the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, before Justice Emeka Nwite on a three-count charge.

The police team of lawyers led by A.A. Egwu told the court that Olamide was arrested on allegations bordering on harassing and threatening Seyi Tinubu, IGP Egbetokun and the country’s Police force spokesman, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, in a viral social media post back in October.

The police prosecutors told Justice Nwite that the activist had made a live video posted on Facebook in October, where she allegedly made threatening remarks cursing the President’s son, Egbetokun ahd Adejobi.

According to the police, she had live-streamed the video on the fourth year anniversary of the Lekki toll-gate massacre of Nigerian youths during the #EndSARS protest of 2020 where she said she and other protesters were brutalised by police officers during the memorial procession.

In the video, Thomas had reportedly accused police officers of harassment, claiming that they had been bullying and threatening her. She was also said to have rained curses on Tinubu and his family, Egbetokun and Adejobi, expressing deep grievances, invoking divine powers and issuing severe condemnations and predicting tragedy against them.

The police added that in the video, she stated that Seyi Tinubu would die this year, and misfortune and calamity would befall the Tinubu family, with intent to bully, threaten, harass the person of Mr Seyi Tinubu.

Reading out the charges, the police said that in count one, Olamide was alleged to have, “knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in the form of video recording through computer system or network on her social media platforms wherein she made remarks in Yoruba Language.”

“In the video, she stated that Mr Seyi Tinubu would die this year, and misfortune and calamity had befallen the Tinubu family, with intent to bully, threaten, harass the person of Mr Seyi Tinubu.

“The communication placed Seyi in fear of death, violence or bodily harm. The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2) (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

“In count two, the defendant intentionally transmitted communication in the form of video recording wherein she made remarks in Yoruba Language to bully, threaten, harass the person of Mr Egbetokun.

“The communication placed Egbetokun in fear of death violence or bodily harm. The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2) (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

“In count three, Olamide intentionally transmitted or cause the transmission of communication in the form of video recording wherein she made remarks in Yoruba Language, stating that the children of Adejobi would all die before his eyes.

“She was quoted to have also said that he (Adejobi) will bury all his children in a single day, with intent to bully, threaten, harass the person of Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi. The communication placed Adejobi in fear of death of his loved ones.”

After the counts were read to the defendant, she pleaded not guilty to the charge while her defence lawyer, T J. Aondo, SAN, sought to move an oral application on his client’s behalf but the request was turned down.

Justice Nwite therefore directed Aondo to file a formal bail application and adjourned the matter until December 30 for commencement of trial.

He consequently ordered the activist to be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre pending the hearing of her bail application.