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Alert

Court refuses to grant newspaper editor's appeal

(MISA/IFEX) - On 8 October 2008, the Lusaka High Court refused to grant "The Post" newspaper editor-in-chief Fred M'membe leave to appeal to the Supreme Court against the ruling that allowed acting President Rupiah Banda to commence contempt of court proceedings against him.

M'membe was appealing a High Court ruling of 27 September 2008 which granted acting President Banda an injunction restraining "The Post" and any of its agents from publishing libellous words against him, as well as contempt of court charges brought by the president. President Banda had gone back to court arguing that the newspaper has not stopped publishing articles which he alleges are defamatory.

On 7 October, the High Court heard arguments from both sides upon which it has ruled in favour of the president to proceed with contempt of court charges against M'membe and "The Post". The judge also dismissed M'membe's application to stay the contempt of court changes pending an appeal.