Chargè d’ Affaire ad interim at the United States Embassy in Zambia David Young says his Government, like Zambia, shares in the value of freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Expression as critical rights in a democracy.
He, however, said these freedoms must be exercised in a respectful and peaceful manner.
Mr. Young said it is unacceptable to use such freedoms to incite violence and spread hate speech.
Mr. Young was speaking during a meeting with Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Prof. Nkandu Luo and General Education Permanent Secretary for Administration Jabbin Mulwanda.
Mr. Young who was accompanied by officials from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), said it is possible for one to express their disagreement through television, radio or social media with respect and in a peaceful manner.
“The key issue is for people to express themselves peacefully and respectfully. The problem is when they go on social media, television and radio to incite violence and hate speech,” he said.
And Mr. Young has appealed to members of the Public to heed President Edgar Lungu’s call for strict observance of coronavirus preventative measures.
Mr. Young said measures such as wearing of masks in public places, observing social distance as well as regular washing of hands with soap are effective ways of protecting oneself especially people with underlining health conditions and the aged.
He also commended President Lungu’s cautious approach in reopening different sectors of the economy such as airports, schools among others.
Mr. Young said his Government together with Center for Disease Control and (USAID) is determined to work with the Zambian Government to promote the health the sector.
Meanwhile, Ms. Siliya who is also Chief Government Spokesperson said while people have the right to be heard, this should not be done in a manner that is disrespectful and can incite violence against others.
Ms. Siliya said Government has a responsibility to ensure public peace and protect all citizens regardless of their political or religious views.
“I know that our partners think that we are out to get the youths because they have freely expressed themselves. But is important that we appreciate that we live in a country with real politics, social context and Christian values,” she said.
Ms. Siliya assured that Government will continue to values and protect citizens rights of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.
And Ms. Siliya says the perception among citizens that the coronavirus is not real is worrying.
Ms. Siliya says Government still has a lot of work to do to convince members of the public that the disease is real so as to save lives.
She says most citizens have abandoned COVID-19 preventive measures prescribed by the Ministry of Health claiming that the virus does not exist in the country.
Ms. Siliya who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said there is need for government to re-strategise the COVID-19 public campaign messages in order to yield desired results.
“His Excellency the President of Zambia said his last address to the nation re-emphasized that the disease is real l. a lot of people have dropped their guard they think it’s been here since March and that Zambia has been spared of the worst but clearly we are not an island and we are seeing what is happening in countries around us,” she said.
“…The key issue is for people to express themselves peacefully and respectfully. The problem is when they go on social media, television and radio to incite violence and hate speech,” he said…”
No one incites violence and spreads hate speech………in other words he is saying he sees nothing wrong with Zambians protesting, and the problem is PF crackdowns on peacfull protests…
Boring!
Judging by the online presence of Trump, the US does not have any moral high ground to lecture youths about behavior on social media.
Ask this British diplomat why they have removed insults and sedition laws from the UK constitution. Double standards do not belong to the 21st Century. Colonialism is over.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
“To sin by silence, when they should protest, makes cowards of men.”
Those who cannot bear any offensive speech do not believe in free speech.
I can forgive and forget all kinds of offensive behaviours, but not a lie. A lie is a cancer of one’s mentality
Why is it in Zambia P.F Cadres /Ministers can spew Xenophobic poison (evidence clearly recorded on camera), Luo, Mw@lya Bw@mba Godfrey, Nyela & openly insult opposition leaders i.e the amount of nsele H.H has been subjected to is there for all to see BUT in P.F’s eyes theres NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER until the victims of the same injustice are P.F leaders??
Until P.F is fair in application of the law, practices what it preaches & allows the opposition to also freely assemble without permits like P.F does, all these complaints will just fall on deaf ears & never work or be practiced.
P.F’s SELECTIVE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IS WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM TO LAW & ORDER IN ZAMBIA TODAY.
Lastly, P.F.KUYABEBELE!
They’re crying for freedom to stuupidt, says Mwine Lubemba
You are scared to comment on USA.
Imagine if it was HH who went to visit Dora and Luo..
Common Lusambo and Sunday comment, he is referring to you.
Timely advice to the likes of diaspora evil sadists and opposition who are inciting the youth. Also they are using devils agents like chella to insult authority. We will let the law take its course without fear or favour. With freedom comes responsibility. Kz
What does he have to say about his president Trump who happens to be the most insulted president on earth? How different is that Freedom of expression from the rest? These double standards don’t help resolve deep-seated irritations among those who now have to resolve to insults. Failure to create a conducive atmosphere tolerant for divergent views, is the root cause! Closure of Independent Media houses means people have fewer options for venting their displeasures and disappointments! Lesson? Don’t Seal a boiling pot!
Did the law take its course when you burnt to the ground poor people’s homes ?
Enough with stories that have no value, let’s focus on serious issues, we need to hear solutions and see them being implemented. Talk about fixing the economy, reducing the value of dolla against kwacha. Load shedding to stop affecting production
Pleas note , the Americans words are in context of the hate speech and spreading violence speech scandel Facebook is embroiled in with major companies which are pulling adverts from Facebook because they are Facebook as not doing enough to stop the scourge.
No opposition in Zambia delivers hate speech , it is lungus PF.
The American is in Zambia and can see what goes on……..
This news piece has been doctored, we know what was said. PF were put to task for attcking peacefull protests.
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Mr Young: “The key issue is for people to express themselves peacefully and respectfully. The problem is when they go on social media, television and radio to incite violence and hate speech,”
Really Mr Young, you mean you can’t see the oppression which people are reacting to using the only media available to them? You can’t see that everything on ZNBC and state print media are doctored to suit PF? What did they feed you on?
Okay, I hope that in private, you told them as it is, gave them a piece of your mind on the fast shrinking space for freedom even if you disguised it as advice.
“And Mr. Young has appealed to members of the Public to heed President Edgar Lungu’s call for strict observance of coronavirus preventative measures.”
This chap is a joker…has he seen the infection cases in the US..go and sort out your home man!!
Statehouse is getting busy recently, where is all this rush coming from? Are they targeting Lungu or they working with him. There is definitely something cooking.Loojs like they too want the man gone!
But what i know is that, no matter how bad western countries want Lungu gone, its us Zambians that hold the true power to out him. Foreigner countries can only help,by means of sanctions etc,but not practically remove him. Take Mugabe or Kabila for example. So Zambians we ve to mobilize. Colonizers yes, but its us Zed holding real power. Hence trust & believe in yoself first,b4 u believe in racist Donald Trump & his cabinet.
Bring back our Foote! He was more honest than this one!