The Media institute of Southern Africa (MISA) is concerned that the existence of a public sphere is under threat in Zambia because of some acts of intolerance by some stakeholders and continued existence of archaic laws that continue to be used to suppress press freedom and freedom of expression.
The public sphere is a space where the citizens of a country exchange ideas and discuss issues, in order to reach agreement about matters of general interest and it is important for the proper functioning of any democracy and existence of good governance. In these modern times, the public sphere includes radio, television, newspapers and the internet.
However, the respect for media freedom in the country is deteriorating thus threatening the existence of a public sphere. According to Freedom House, Zambia has gone back to being ‘not free’ from being ‘partially free’ for a period of two years; 2011 and 2012. Even our own findings also speak to the same issues that press freedom and freedom of expression is deteriorating.
Some of the incidents that are threatening this space are attacks by ruling political party supporters on such institutions as Zambia Information Communication Authority (ZICTA) urging them to take action against online media that are ‘insulting’ their leaders. Some of the threats take on a veil which come in the form of calls for community media to play a ‘unifying role’ when they feature persons with opposing views.
Others include the storming of community media such as Radio Explorer by ruling party cadres, the suspension of two state-owned media journalists while some have gone on to quit because they have refused to be cowed into submission to certain ways of reporting. The chain of sad events includes the recent summoning of Kariba FM Radio management to appear before Police for airing a story in which residents raised concern on the conduct of police officers in the area.
Another threat is the present government’s use of various draconian colonial laws that include ‘publishing false information’, to suppress the media and limit freedom of expression, when instead these laws should be regarded as archaic and must be entirely repealed.
Even more worrying is the appearance of President Michael Sata in the High Court on 21 May 2014 to testify against the Managing Editor of the Daily Nation Newspapers. This has definitely sent shivers to many citizens and the media where holding the President accountable as Zambia’s elected leader is concerned.
We are fearful that the media will not be able to feature people who want to criticise the President because of fear of being taken to court by the President personally. This will hinder press freedom in the country and has sent shivers to those who want to set up radios of television stations including newspapers and online publications.
The presence of heavy security, helicopters and many such machinery was very intimidating and many journalists and the citizens are afraid. This can be seen from the little postings dotted on facebook even from very vocal persons that post any significant happenings in the nation.
In illustrating the above, we want to point at what is threatening the existence of the public sphere in Zambia. These levels of intolerance are derailing the democratic gains Zambia has been making over the years while denying Zambia development because freedom of expression, access to information and free debate is being curtailed through the above named acts or existence of oppressive laws.
It is our hope that government will address the anomalies through addressing the violence and harassments against the media and citizens who have the right to freedom of expression and access to information. Further, government should repeal archaic laws and enact the new constitution of 2012 which has progressive provisions on media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information.
Ms Hellen Mwale
MISA Zambia Chairperson
22 May 2014
We are scared but we will not let Sata and his PF scoundrels defeat us.Zambia is for all of us and not PF. As the freedom fighters of the 1960’s fought to liberate us from colonial rule so we the Zambian youth shall fight for the liberation of Zambia from the archaic colonial laws that still enslave our people,from the selfish businessmen and crooked political leaders that rule with disrespect to the Zambia youth -Zambia’s future.VIVA new constitution,abash PF! abash Sata! abash dictatorship!
Learn to report facts.I dont blame you i blame your education backgrounds.
Yesterday judge Lengalenga let Zambians down. She missed an opportunity to REFER MAD SATA TO CHAINAMA FOR PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION as he clearly displayed MENTAL INCAPACITY to stand trial, run a country or assist the court in any sensible manner. Yesterday was a day of reckoning for all of those who were in doubt about Sata’s INSANITY.
Go to china and Russia then you will know that zambia is a free country.This nuisance going on from online publication is strickly controlled.Even in the US,your phone conversation are closely followed.
Imwe please: how many people have insulted Obama or Putin face imprisonment or harassment? Kapena you have never been – so please stop lying!!!
@iwe
here is another stupid pf cadre trying to feed us with lies as their culture dictates. tell it to your fellow brain washed colleagues not to us the enlightened.
@Iwe, don’t call yourself smart by comparing yourself to a dirty person. There must be a generally accepted norm against which to gauge oneself.
Well said. I think the apex of this absurdity is the appearance of the head of state before a judge. A sitting president to address a judge ” my Lord/Lady”. This is insane!! I know this will go all the way to the Supreme court where he will then stand before the hated Chibesakunda where everything will go his way and claim the K 500,000!
Ms Hellen Mwale, while I agree that there is need to address the violence and harassment of the media and citizens who have the right to freedom of expression, I believe that it is also expected of the media to be factual in their reporting. We don’t see any follow ups on most of what is reported and issues are hardly investigated before publication…
They cant see sense in what you are saying.They is no fact in what we read,it is never verified.again its all because of the poor education background from most of our journalists including those from znbc.
iwe what rubish bare you talking so if russians eat rubish even zambians should eat it
cool down.LT will not take you to state house.Do you have a voters card by the way?
This is stupid. Does the Police work for Sata?? Role of police is to protect all citizens and not waste resources on blocking GBM to Impress Sata. Why are they scared of him going on Air?? PF are an embarrassment and waste of Zambians time. This Party full of Dull People should Go. They are not serious. TIME WILL COME PF will be Answerable.
But there is nowhere where it says that defaming people and lying about them is an act of press freedom or freedom of expression. If an irresponsible newspaper publishes lies alleging that the President is corrupt, doesn’t he have the right to seek legal recourse? In fact he President should be commended in that instead of instigating for the closure of some irresponsible media organizations he has sought legal recourse. If those who alleged that he is corrupt have evidence, let them prove that rather than trying to hide their criminality under MISA or press freedom. Also why should online media like Watchdog use cyber space to accuse the First Lady of infidelity? Can they come out in the open to prove that? Is this the freedom of expression or press freedom you are defending
What do you expect when you make a Dictator as your president? Sata is a dictator, period. The ballot should sought him out in 2016. 2016, Sata kuya beebele!
Thank you Ms. Mwale for that wonderful article. I think we are witnessing the most dictatorial episode in Zambian history. Michael Sata is the most ruthless head of state Zambia has ever hard; and his PF government is famous for everything from widespread corruption, nepotism, tribalism, human rights abuse, political intimidations and violence. These acts would be grounds for impeachment in most countries. After 50 years of independence and we are still electing people like this man into office. God help us.