Metro

Zambian govt warns media against promoting hate speech

Published

1 day ago

October 18, 2024

The Zambian government has warned media outfits in the country against using their platforms to promote hate speech and spreading falsehood while carrying out their duties.

The directive, which was given by Chief Government spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, during an IBA capacity-building training for broadcasting stations in Eastern Province held at Protea Hotel on Thursday, urged the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to ensure that broadcasting stations comply with the law and avoid being used as platforms for hate speech and falsehoods.

He assured that the government will not shut down any broadcast outfit for political reasons as it remains committed to freedom of expression.

“The government will not shut down any broadcasting station for political reasons, as it remains committed to upholding freedom of expression and supporting a diverse media landscape,” Mweetwa said.

Mweetwa, however, urged broadcasting houses to remain cautious of airing unverified claims made during interviews, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that assertions are substantiated before being broadcast.

He further stressed the need for broadcasting stations to maintain professionalism, adhere to journalistic ethics, and provide accurate information with integrity, while encouraging them to take advantage of the suspension of excise duty on the importation of broadcasting equipment, which was valid until December 31, 2026.

“Recognizing the economic challenges faced by the broadcasting industry, the government will soon introduce a Credit Window through the Bank of Zambia to help stations import the necessary equipment,” he added.

Mweetwa noted that the government was aware of the hardships the media sector was experiencing and was working to mitigate the impacts of the ongoing drought on the industry.

Related Topics:Featured Freedom of Expression hate speech Media Zambia

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Metro

Amnesty International demands immediate release of detained Zambian journalist

Published

16 hours ago

October 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Deputy Director of Amnesty International for East and Southern Africa, Vongai Chikwanda, has called on Zambian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release a journalist, Thomas Zgambo, who is currently being detained for doing his job.

Media reports have it that Zgambo, a contributor to the Zambia Whistleblower website, was arrested on October 16, 2024, while dining at a mall and is currently being held at Ridgeway Police Station.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Lusaka, Chikwanda stated that journalism was not a crime and highlighted that Zambia’s Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression and media freedom.

“Authorities must uphold their constitutional and international human rights obligations and allow journalists to freely carry out their work,” Chikwanda said in the statement.

Chikwanda noted that Zgambo had not been officially charged, while his arrest followed the publication of an article perceived as critical of government officials.

He pointed out that Zgambo’s arrest comes just days after President Hakainde Hichilema reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to press freedom and the promotion of access to information, alleging that Zambian authorities had harassed and intimidated Zgambo in previous years.

It will be recalled that in August, Zgambo was arrested and detained for two days before being released on bail for sedition after publishing an article calling for government transparency regarding a rental property allegedly linked to President Hichilema.

He was arrested twice in 2023 for his critical reporting, and in 2013, faced sedition charges related to his coverage of then-president Michael Sata.

Metro

AfDB to establish $100m investment bank for Nigerian youths

Published

22 hours ago

October 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has concluded plans to establish a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for Nigeria in its bid to support young people in the country.

President of the AfDB, Akinwunmi Adesina, who disclosed this while delivering a keynote address at the 90th birthday lecture of former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, in Abuja on Friday, said the bank’s board of directors had already approved the establishment of the project.

“I am delighted to announce here today that just three days ago, the African Development Bank’s board of directors approved $100m for the establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for Nigeria,” he said.

He stated that the move is a statement of AfDB’s resolve to support youths who he believes are critical to the development of the country, technically and otherwise.

“This new bank will support the business of the youths in Nigeria using technical assistance, business incubation, and invest equity, quasi-equity and others,” the AfDB boss told the audience which included former president Olusegun Obasanjo, governors, ministers, and other top dignitaries.

Adesina emphasized that the mass migration of the country’s youthful population, otherwise known as “Japa Syndrome” would be curtailed by the establishment of the bank.

”Don’t get me wrong but I don’t believe the future of Nigeria’s youth or Africa’s youth lies in Asia, America or Europe or anywhere else; it lies in Nigeira growing very well with equitable growth.

“This is a new day and a new day for Nigeria. The rate and speed at which Nigerians are leaving the country -the so-called japa syndrome- risks undermining Nigeria’s economic drive for economic rejuvenation and positioning for global dominance,” Adesina, a former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture noted.