Issiac Chipampe and MISA Chairperson, Ellen Mwale during World Press freedom
day.
Speaking during the official launch of the “2017 So this is Democracy Report” in Lusaka, MISA Zambia Deputy Chairperson, Hyde Haguta said MISA is at pains to see how media freedoms in Zambia are abused by those in authority.
Mr. Haguta has since called upon media personnel in the country to unite and demand for what is right.
He has further condemned the intentions by ZICTA to regulate WhatsApp saying such things should not be tolerated as they are shrinking online space.
Mr. Haguta says MISA is not against the cyber laws that are coming, but will not support such laws if they are meant to reduce media freedoms.
And giving an overview of the report, MISA Zambia National Director, Austin Kayanda said last year was full of issues ranging from media censorship, assault on journalists, attacks on media institutions, among other happenings.
Philosophically any freedom of speech that is limited is no longer a freedom of speech. It has become a privilege under control of whatever authority does the limiting.In general the consensus is that media freedom designed to cause harm, not just psychological harm, but real physical danger, should be limited. The shout of “Fire!” in a crowed theatre where no fire exists is the most common example showing that speech designed solely to cause confusion with a high risk of actual harm in the reaction should be limited. In the classic sense such “speech” becomes a tool for mischief and no other purpose.
Freedom of speech is alien to Zambia, and Zambians. In pre-colonial times, the plethora of chiefs and chieftainesses controlled what their subjects could speak about. During British rule, freedom of speech was muzzled. The government is just carrying on with that tradition.
In addition, freedom of speech leads to low productivity. Imagine a Zambian given that opportunity to express himself freely in the workplace. It will be spoken in English, then vernacular. The response will be debated in both languages, as a result, work will stop!
What about the freedom of those you write falsehoods and slander about. In a nutshell both government and the press are a confused lot.
“MISA is at pains to see how media freedoms in Zambia are abused by those in authority.????????
Are you sure ba LT?