Metro

Pan-African media platform Zambia Monitor wins $10,000 Advothon prize for media freedom

Published

8 months ago

March 25, 2024

Popular pan-African online multimedia newspaper, Zambia Monitor, has emerged winner of a $10,000 prize for an Advothon Project that seeks to “increase the ability of human rights defenders and media associations to carry out advocacy that demands digital rights, freedom of expression and media freedom in Zambia.”

The Advothon Project, which is funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its Open Spaces Zambia (OSZ) platform, selected Zambia Monitor as a winner after months of a rigorous defence of its pitch titled, “Project Aliyense”.

While making the announcement in a letter notifying the media platform of its win, Internews, working with a local coordinating agency, MISA, acknowledged the project idea as “outstanding and able to strengthen the democratic foundations of freedom of speech and assembly, as envisioned by the donors.”

“The project aims to build independent and new media, safeguard a space for activists, Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), and contending voices to protect the democratic space in Zambia,” the organizers noted in the letter.

“This is a multimedia digital advocacy project that seeks to advance the cause of media freedom, freedom of expression and digital rights in Zambia through the broad inclusion of diverse voices from across the country.

“We believe every voice counts and every voice should be amplified to advocate for media freedom in the country,” the letter stated.

According to the Managing Editor of Zambia Monitor, Maimbolwa Mulikelela, the project execution would see Zambia Monitor accommodate voices from across the country, ranging from students in secondary schools and higher institutions, to toiling artisans in the shadows and respected opinion leaders, raising a chorus of voices to inspire change for nation building.

“Project Aliyense would take the form of audio-visual street interviews, articles and social media campaigns, and through its One Voice a Day initiative, would amplify media freedom issues, bridging law, access to information, resistance to legitimate enquiry, and the underlying universal principle of freedom of expression,” she said.

“It would also incorporate cartoons, videos, pictures, infographics, audio, and text, all of which would be neatly interwoven to drive the message, broadening access and empowering stakeholders to be the key drivers of the advocacy.”

Mulikelela added that the “Project Aliyense speaks to the news organization’s editorial stance which notes that opinions are free, but that facts are sacred”.

“The award represents a major milestone for the young news platform, as it was won in its first year of existence,” an elated Mulikelela said.

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Metro

Zambian govt successfully repatriates trafficked toddler from Mozambique

Published

22 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Zambian government has announced the successful repatriation of a one-year-eight-month-old child who was trafficked to Mozambique.

Making the announcement at a media briefing held at the Ministry’s head office in Lusaka on Friday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Angela Kawandami, expressed relief and joy at the child’s return, following the abduction from Lundazi District in October 2023.

Kawandami revealed that the case was reported to Lundazi Police Station on October 28, 2023, and following intense investigation, the child was trailed to a house in a care facility in Tete, Mozambique, before being repatriated.

Kawandami emphasized government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights, citing the Children’s Code Act of 2022 and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2008 as essential tools in combating child trafficking.

“These laws mandate the state and relevant actors to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of children, especially those at risk of trafficking,” she said.

She further highlighted the role of Zambia’s National Referral Mechanism in ensuring a coordinated, multi-sectoral response to trafficking cases.

“Through effective collaboration between the Ministries of Community Development and Social Services, Home Affairs and Internal Security, the Zambia Police Service’s Anti-Human Trafficking Department, and Interpol, the child was returned safely after a year of continuous efforts,” she narrated.

She urged the public to remain vigilance and report suspected trafficking cases, noting the increasing threat of human trafficking.

Also speaking at the press briefing, the Director for Anti-Human Trafficking in the Ministry of Home Affairs Boris Mulengu, praised the strong cooperation between Zambia and Mozambique, stressing the importance of intergovernmental collaboration in combating trafficking.

Meanwhile, the child’s mother expressed heartfelt gratitude for her child’s safe return, acknowledging the emotional toll the abduction had caused.

She thanked the government and all involved agencies for their unwavering dedication to reuniting her with her child.

Metro

Finland-based Nigerians in panic as authorities search for Simon Ekpa’s sponsors

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Some Nigerians based in Finland have been thrown into panic mode following the arrest and detention of the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRIGE), Simon Ekpa, who was arrested on Thursday by Finnish authorities on terror-related charges.

Ekpa was arrested alongside four other individuals by Finnish authorities on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.

The dissident had made himself infamous by using the social media to promote violent activities in southeastern Nigeria, including attacks and murder of civilians and security personnel.

According to some Nigerians in European country, following the arrest of the separatist leader and the four individuals suspected to be sponsors of his group known as IPOB-AutoPilots, the police have begun a manhunt for other sponsors, thus creating panic in the Nigerian community and those who may have had dealings with the agitator.

Several sources who spoke to journalists, said Nigerians in the European country are afraid of commenting on the arrest of Ekpa over fear of being attacked.

A Nigerian community leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said that the Igbo community in the was gravely affected by the violent acts of the secessionist group.

“Everyone is afraid to speak about Ekpa’s arrest. The key people in Finland and the Igbo community at large are not ready to lend their voices either,” he said.

He added that some persons were being accused of reporting Ekpa to the police and were being threatened.

“A particular person they accused now, they’re after him. This happened before he (Ekpa) was even remanded; what will happen when they imprison him? Everyone is afraid. These people are very deadly.”

Another Nigerian who spoke acknowledged that there was serious tension among Nigerians in the country.

“People don’t want to speak about Ekpa for fear of being hunted by his followers. We believe that they will hunt whoever comes out to talk about their leader. But the Finnish Government is trying to get rid of the situation.”