Despite the enactment and implementation of the Cybersecurity Act, a segment of society in Northern Province’s Kasama District remains unaware of its existence and provisions.

When asked about media freedom and the Cyber Security Act, taxi driver, Evans Simfukwe, expressed ignorance and called for more sensitization on the law.

Responding in Bemba to a reporter, Simfukwe, who acknowledged using social media handles such as Facebook, questioned the meaning of media freedom and how it influenced societal decisions.

“First, I want to ask what media freedom means? If the law is in place, then it’s fine,” Simfukwe told Zambia Monitor in an interview in Kasama.

However, he quickly emphasized his understanding of freedom of speech and urged that the law should not be used to silence him and others who wish to speak and advise the government on various issues in the country.

Simfukwe highlighted that people should be allowed to voice their concerns, such as the current economic conditions leading to increased living costs.

“We must be free to speak because there is a lot of economic hardship we are going through. One issue is mealie meal; we have the right to speak. Fuel is another thing making work difficult,” he stated.

Regarding the Cyber Security Act, Simfukwe advised his fellow social media users to be mindful of their posts if the law truly exists, to avoid conflicts with it.

He also urged the government to listen to what people are saying on social media and avoid silencing every critical voice providing advice on the economy and other social issues.

Catherine Mumba, a mobile money agent, echoed Simfukwe’s sentiments, expressing her lack of knowledge about media freedom and the Cyber Security Act despite using social media.

She suggested increasing sensitization on the law or translating it into vernacular languages for those who can use social media but may not understand it in English.

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

The Nigerian government has denied reports that it is considering permitting the establishment of foreign military bases in the country to combat insurgency and other crimes, as a way of accommodating American and French troops following their expulsion from neighbouring countries like Niger Republic and Chad.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the Federal Government was aware of false alarm being raised in some quarters about discussions with some foreign countries, notably the United States and France, on the siting of foreign military bases in Nigeria.

There have been rumours of late that the United States and the French governments had perfected plans to relocate their military bases from the Sahel to Nigeria, with many Nigerians cautioning the President Bola Tinubu administration from accepting such a proposal as it would pose dangers to the country.

But Idris insisted there were no such plans in the present as the reports were mere rumours which should be disregarded.

“The Federal Government is aware of false alarms being raised in some quarters alleging discussions between the Federal Government of Nigeria and some foreign countries on the siting of foreign military bases in the country,” Idris said in the statement.

“The Federal Government is not in any such discussion with any foreign country.

“We have neither received nor are we considering any proposals from any country on the establishment of any foreign military bases in Nigeria.

“The Nigerian government already enjoys foreign cooperation in tackling ongoing security challenges, and the President remains committed to deepening these partnerships, with the goal of achieving the national security objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

“We urge the general public to totally disregard this falsehood,” the minister said.