Metro

Uncertainties in the season of Zambia’s digital rights pursuits

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

Upholding the rule of law is fundamental to protecting human rights and dignity, ensuring justice and equality for all and promoting stability, security, and predictability.

It is also crucial for fostering economic growth and development, preventing abuse of power and corruption, and maintaining social order and cohesion.

President Hakainde Hichilema, in his inaugural speech in August 2021, pledged to restore the rule of law in Zambia, promising a departure from the country’s past governance challenges.

“We will restore the rule of law, general order in our public places and communities, and return our country back to normalcy. Read my lips, no more cadreism from any political party,” he said.

“There is space for all of you, but no space for thuggery, no space for violence. It is a new dawn for the country going forward.”

However, concerns have since emerged over the state of the rule of law in Zambia.

Issues such as the executive’s significant influence over the judiciary and legislature, judicial appointments and decision-making have raised questions about the independence of the courts.

Opposition parties continue to criticise laws like the Public Order Act and the Cyber Security Act, which they argue restrict free speech and assembly.

Several opposition parties, including the New Heritage Party and the Socialist Party, have been denied police permits to hold public rallies.

While some rallies, such as those by the United Kwacha Alliance and Citizens First party, were initially blocked, they were eventually allowed to proceed after intervention.

Opposition leaders, including former President Edgar Lungu and Socialist Party leader Dr. Fred M’membe, have voiced concerns about what they see as a shrinking space for political engagement and expression.

Civil society organizations, including ActionAid, the Non-Governmental Gender Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC), the Alliance for Community Action, and Chapter One Foundation, have expressed alarm over what they describe as a “shrinking space for freedom of expression and assembly.”

In a joint statement, 13 civil society organizations noted a “growing intolerance for dissent,” citing recent failures by public authorities to protect these fundamental democratic rights.

Despite these concerns, the government has maintained that Zambia’s democratic space is not shrinking.

Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe, speaking on ZNBC TV’s Sunday Interview, stated that the current administration, in office for just over two years, is not perfect but is committed to maintaining democratic freedoms.

“We are not professing perfection; there are bound to be mistakes. However, that cannot equate to a shrinking democratic space,” Haimbe argued.

Veteran politician Vernon Johnson Mwaanga echoed this sentiment, dismissing opposition claims and asserting that Zambia has faced similar challenges before and will overcome them.

“Citizens will not allow the country to slide back to the old days,” he said. “I don’t accept these concerns because I have seen this country through ups and downs.”

However, critics highlight that free speech rights in Zambia are increasingly under threat, with journalists facing harassment, arrests, and censorship.

The government’s monitoring of online activities through the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act has been another point of contention.

Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology invoked Section 54, No. 2 of 2021, to combat online hate speech, propaganda, defamation, and child abuse.

Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, warned that the government is investing heavily in cyber infrastructure to track down and prosecute online offenders.

Public gatherings and protests are often dispersed or banned, with citizens and media outlets frequently hesitating to express dissenting views.

Stakeholders are calling for judicial reforms to enhance judicial independence and impartiality, repeal or amend restrictive laws, reduce executive influence, and protect journalists from harassment and intimidation.

By addressing these challenges, Zambia can strengthen the rule of law and expand free speech rights, enabling citizens to freely express themselves and hold those in power accountable.

This story is sponsored by Project Aliyense.

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Metro

Combating misinformation, media deception

Published

8 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The proliferation of misinformation, disinformation and fake news has become a pressing global concern and Zambia, like many other African countries, is not immune.

Misinformation refers to the unintentional spread of false information, while disinformation is deliberately fabricated to deceive, according to the Oxford Dictionary.

Fake news often encompassed both, usually with malicious intent.

Elizabeth Riziki, National Director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)-Tanzania, identified several factors contributing to information disorders globally, including in Zambia.

“These include barriers to accessing information, an information gap between urban and rural communities, government control of the media and youth unemployment,” Riziki said.

The spread of false information has far-reaching consequences, such as eroding trust in institutions, fueling social unrest and undermining democracy.

To mitigate these risks, Zambia needs to take proactive measures to sanitise its media space.

Prisiel Samu, Programmes Coordinator at ZimFact, noted that individuals with internet access are often involved in spreading fake news.

“Governments can play a leading role by regulating social media platforms, which have become breeding grounds for misinformation,” Samu stated.

In Zambia, the rise of social media and online platforms had created an environment conducive to the spread of false information, significantly impacting public discourse, policy-making and national security.

The consequences of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news in Zambia included undermining confidence in institutions, leaders and media outlets.

A study by researcher Gregory Gondwe, titled “Audience Perception of Fake News in Zambia: Examining the Relationship Between Media Literacy and News Believability,” suggested that formal education had a limited impact on detecting fake news.

Instead, the credibility of news sources was found to be an insignificant factor in determining trustworthiness.

Fabricated stories often incited violence, xenophobia, and electoral manipulation, disrupt markets, harm businesses and deter investment.

To combat these issues, Zambia must adopt a multi-faceted approach, including establishing a regulatory body to enforce ethical journalism and online content standards.

The Zambian government has recently announced a crackdown on the misuse of social media under Section 54 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021.

This crackdown extended to administrators of WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms, who are reminded of their legal responsibilities and the potential consequences of allowing harmful content.

“WhatsApp group administrators must curtail postings that are illegal and in bad faith, as they will be held responsible for the publication of such information,” cautioned Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati.

Various stakeholders have proposed several measures to address misinformation, including supporting independent fact-checking initiatives, promoting transparency in media ownership and funding, protecting individuals who expose misinformation and encouraging media outlets to adhere to ethical standards.

Additionally, educating citizens on critical thinking, media literacy, and fact-checking skills was crucial.

By implementing these measures, Zambia aims to foster a media environment that values truth, accuracy, and informed discourse.

This story is sponsored by Project Aliyense.

Metro

Nigerian govt places 11 states on alert as Cameroon set to release water from Lagdo Dam

Published

13 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian government has placed 11 states on alert following an announcement by neighboring Cameroon of an imminent release of water from the Lagdo Dam.

Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Muhammed, who issued the warning in a statement, said authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon would initiate controlled water releases starting from Tuesday, September 17.

The statement noted that the water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River.

According to the statement, the states that have been placed on the alert are all states bordering the Benue River system, namely Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers States.

The dam is located in the Northern Province of Cameroon, on the Benue River, in the Niger basin while the lake covers an area of 586.

The release of water from Lagdo Dam has long been a cause for concern for many in Nigeria as it affects many states because it serves as the entry point of River Benue.

The statement reads:

“The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency wishes to notify the general public that the authorities of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have communicated to the agency that they will initiate controlled water releases at a rate of 100m³/s (8,640,000m³/day) starting today, 17 September 2023.

“The water discharge is anticipated to progressively escalate to 1000m³/s over the next seven days based on the inflow from the upstream Garoua River, which serves as the primary source into the reservoir and a significant tributary to the Benue River.

“Nonetheless, the dam operators have indicated that the planned water discharges will be gradual to avoid surpassing the conveyance capacity of the Benue river system and triggering substantial flooding downstream in Nigeria.

“The overflow from the Lagdo Dam is projected to cease once there is a noticeable reduction in the flow into the Lagdo reservoir.”

It added that though there should be no cause for alarm, the affected states should take measures to prevent flooding.

“The agency unequivocally states that there is no need for alarm as major flooding downstream in Nigeria is not anticipated since the flow levels along the Benue River are still within cautionary limits.

“Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance for all states bordering the Benue River system, namely: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers, along with the government at all levels (federal, state, and LGAs) to heighten their vigilance and implement appropriate preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding impacts that may arise due to an increase in flow levels of our major rivers during this period.

“The agency will continue to diligently monitor the flow conditions of the transboundary Benue River and the national inland rivers, and consistently provide regular updates on water levels across major rivers to prevent further flood disasters,” it added.

The warning is coming a week after the Alau Dam located in Maiduguri, Borno State in North-West Nigeria collapsed leading to a massive flood with devastating consequences with over 50 killed and an estimated two million others displaced.