Metro

Zambian govt warns media against promoting hate speech

Published

2 days 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

Nigerians will begin to see the fruits of Tinubu’s labour— CoS Gbajabiamila

Published

3 hours ago

October 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has assured Nigerians that citizens will soon begin to reap the fruits of the president’s labour in the past 17 months since he assumed office.

Gbajabiamila, who gave the assurance on Saturday night in Abuja upon the president’s return to the country from a two-week working leave in the United Kingdom and France, said that Tinubu, who was well-rested following the vacation, was poised to get the country to a “cruising altitude.”⁣

“He’s back to continue from where he left off in terms of putting policies in place and making sure things are done right, making sure we’re going in the right direction,” Gbajabiamila told journalists at the reception put together to welcome the president. ⁣

“He’s the captain of the plane, and he’s working to get to a cruising level, which is precisely where we’re going. And in a matter of time, Nigerians will begin to see the fruits of his labour and our labour. ⁣

“Let’s all be expectant and hopeful, and we’ve been living the renewed hope, and Mr. President is back in Nigeria to continue the good work he’s doing.

“The kind of work he’s been doing in the last year and a half requires some rest, and he was gone, and he’s back now, and he’s well rested, rejuvenated.⁣

“It was even just a working holiday anyway, so he was working and resting at the same time. Now that he’s back in Nigeria, all hands are back on deck, and he’s ready to go,” he noted.

Metro

Amnesty International demands immediate release of detained Zambian journalist

Published

21 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.