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Alerts - Zambia

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Zambia

Supporters of former ruling party jailed for assaulting TV crew

Abram Banda, Cephas Phiri, and Use Mukalipi, were jailed for three years with hard labour for committing aggravated robbery on a television crew from the privately-owned Muvi TV.

Zambia

Harassment by US embassy security prompts boycott threat by local journalists

In a petition delivered to US Ambassador Mark Storella,journalists complained of physical and verbal abuse by embassy security.

Zambia

Journalists assaulted

Journalists were verbally and physically assaulted when they attempted to cover a hearing in a court case involving a former minister of labour and social security.

Zambia

Government pledges to implement freedom of information bill

The Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism said the law, once implemented, will contribute in changing the culture of secrecy that characterises Zambian public institutions.

Zambia

Journalist concerned over false reports of his arrest

The Zambian Watchdog news website, for which reporter George Zula works, is under investigation for allegedly leaking an e-mail that had serious political consequences.

Zambia

Injunction on private media houses lifted

As election results are expected, IPI calls on future government to respect press freedom.

Zambia

"Zambia Daily Mail" crew attacked

The three-person news crew and driver were violently assaulted as they were covering elections in the Kanyama constituency.

Zambia

Ruling party members charged in TV crew attack

Dainess Nyrienda, Annita Kalwani, Emmanuel Kaluba, and Edward Ntele were assaulted by a crowd of MMD supporters while investigating allegations of illegal land seizures by party cadres in Nakachenje.

Zambia

IPI urges government to stop stalling on self-regulation

Despite recent promises, the government is trying to control the flow of information ahead of elections, IPI says.

Zambia

Government threatens to revoke radio stations' operating licences

The government has warned that it will revoke operating licences of all radio stations airing political campaign songs before the date of the tripartite elections is announced.

Zambia

Opposition party supporters attack state media journalists

In one incident, camera operator Cuthbert Miti was surrounded, beaten and pushed around by a mob which attemped to confiscate his camera equipment.

Zambia

IPI welcomes progress towards self-regulation

The vice president said the government does not want statutory regulation for the time being.

Zambia

Opposition leader disrupts editorial meeting, threatens editors

The leader of the Patriotic Front, Michael Sata, threatened editors at the "Zambia Daily Mail" over a story the newspaper published about him.

Zambia

Government refuses to allow community radio station to go back on air

The government will not re-open Radio Lymabai until investigations into its alleged involvement in the broadcast of seditious materials are completed.

Zambia

Police record statement from station manager over alleged broadcast of seditious material

Radio Lyambai Assistant Station Manager Nyambe Muyumbana, who was arrested and detained for allegedly running seditious material, was released on bail.

Zambia

Radio station effectively closed; "Post" newspaper journalist detained

Security forces reportedly seized a console and two computers from Radio Lyambai, halting the station's operations, IPI sources said.

Zambia

Opposition party supporters threaten to kill "Post" reporter

According to "The Post", supporters of the United Party for National Development (UPND) were bitter about the manner in which the newspaper had been covering the party.

Zambia

Authorities threaten to revoke radio station's licence

Radio Lyambai denied allegations that it was planning to host an opposition leader to discuss a controversial issue on one of its programmes.

Zambia

Victory for two journalists as political supporter jailed for assault

MMD youth chairperson Chris Chalwe was sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour for common assault.

Zambia

Newspaper editor released after spending three days in prison

Shocked by his jail experience, Fred M'membe said, "Our prisoners are treated like animals."

Zambia

Newspaper editor receives heavy sentence

Fred M'membe was sentenced to four months in prison with hard labour for "contempt of court".

Zambia

Football association bans reporter from interviewing national team players

The ban followed on the heels of an opinion article by the journalist that criticised the national team's coach and skipper.

Zambia

As country prepares to switch to digital broadcasting, MISA urges government to prevent "information gap"

MISA called on the government to cushion the cost of acquiring the equipment required to receive digital signals in order to ensure equal access to information for all.

Zambia

Member of Parliament forces his way into TV station, threatens guests with gun

MP Chishimba Kambwili was upset with what two former student leaders had to say on the MUVI TV show "Hot Issues".

Zambia

Opposition party supporters storm community radio station

Patriotic Front party members stormed the Mazabuka Community Radio Station, demanding that it stop broadcasting a live phone-in programme.

Zambia

"The Post" editor-in-chief charged with contempt of court

The editor-in-chief of "The Post" newspaper, Fred M’membe, appeared before judge David Simusamba to answer to charges of contempt of court leveled against both him and his paper.

Zambia

Court throws out Chansa Kabwela obscenity case

The ruling is a huge victory for press freedom in sub-Saharan Africa, says IPI.

Zambia

MISA Zambia expresses concern over unsafe working environment for media

The organisation urges the government and police to address the problem immediately before lives are lost or serious injuries take place.

Zambia

Independent newspaper editor-in-chief on trial for contempt charges

Fred M'membe was criminally charged for the second time after running an op-ed critical of controversial pornography charges against a journalist.

Zambia

President promises to stop violence against journalists

Responding to a letter from MISA, the president has promised to stop the ongoing violence against journalists.

Zambia

"The Post" editorial staff face six months in prison on contempt charge after op-ed in paper by Ivy League professor

The editor-in-chief of "The Post" and an Ivy League law school professor were cited for contempt over an article Ndulo wrote.

Zambia

Radio station studios ransacked, equipment destroyed

A supporter of President Ruphia Banda burst into the studios of radio Sky FM and began smashing computers.

Zambia

Reporter receives death threat

On 31 July 2009, reporter Roy Habaalu received death threats and was nearly attacked by unidentified individuals in the Mongu district.

Zambia

Reporters attacked at airport by president's supporters

RSF deplores the physical attacks on journalists by supporters of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) at Lusaka international airport.

Zambia

Tabling of freedom of information bill delayed

The minister of information and broadcasting services has confirmed that the freedom of information bill will not be tabled before the current parliamentary session.

Zambia

Bogus charges filed against "Post" reporter

CPJ is alarmed by the arrest of Zambian journalist Chansa Kabwela on bogus charges of circulating obscene materials.

Zambia

"The Post" journalists harrassed

"The Post" said the ruling party had assigned four thugs to attack its reporters whenever President Rupiah Banda is travelling and likely to meet the media.

Zambia

Police warn editor about photo distribution

Police issued a warning to a newspaper editor for sending pictures of a woman giving birth to the vice president and other officials.

Zambia

Plainclothes officers storm privately-owned Mobi TV

On 17 June 2009, Mobi TV was raided by four plainclothes police officers demanding a copy of the programme "Meet your MP."

Zambia

Corruption to continue if media freedom is not addressed, says MISA Zambia

MISA-Zambia said corruption in government will continue if restraints on media freedom are not removed.

Zambia

"The Post" targeted in two separate incidents

A vendor selling copies of the independent newspaper "The Post" was beaten and copies of the newspaper torn by Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) supporters. In a separate incident, police interrogated and cautioned two "Post" journalists

Zambia

Controversial radio station manager removed from his post

(MISA/IFEX) - On 13 April 2009, Ndola Catholic Diocese Bishop Noel O'Regan removed Fr. Frank Bwalya, Radio Icengelo station manager, from his position following his controversial conduct after the 30 October 2008 presidential by-election in which he accused the Rupiah Banda led government of having been fraudulently elected.

Zambia

Photojournalist Thomas Nsama assaulted by supporters of ruling party

(MISA/IFEX) - On 28 February 2009, supporters of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) beat up "The Post" photojournalist Thomas Nsama. The incident occurred at Chipata International Airport in Zambia's Eastern province. Nsama had gone to the airport to cover the arrival of Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa's African National Congress (ANC), who was visiting the province. The photojournalist was beaten after the arrival of Zambian President Rupiah Banda.

Zambia

Issuing of broadcasting licences put on hold; government said to be working on establishment of new regulatory body

(MISA/IFEX) - The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS) has with immediate effect stopped issuing broadcasting licenses to new applicants, saying it is working towards the establishment of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) that will soon take over the licensing function of all broadcasters in the country. MISA-Zambia initiated the IBA process through research and policy submissions and has been calling for this process to be finalized.

Zambia

National Constitutional Conference adopts progressive media provisions from draft Constitution

(MISA/IFEX) - On 18 February 2009, the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) Executive Committee adopted many of the progressive articles in the draft Mung'omba Constitution of 2005, paving the way for improved recognition of press and freedom of expression rights in Zambia.

Zambia

Photojournalist Abel Mabwe and reporter Mutuna Chanda assaulted, interrogated by police; minister defends media's right to cover constitutional reform process

(MISA/IFEX) - On 6 February 2009, 11 plainclothes police officers beat up and pepper sprayed "The Post" photojournalist Abel Mambwe and detained him together with reporter Mutuna Chanda after he took a photograph of them assaulting a "pirate" taxi driver. Mambwe was pepper sprayed in the left eye, manhandled and handcuffed before being bundled into a minibus the plainclothes officers were using. The police accused Mambwe of disobeying police instructions by refusing to hand over his camera. The police forcibly took the camera, in the process beating Chanda who tried to rescue Mambwe. The duo was later taken to the Kitwe District Traffic Police Station where they were interrogated.

Zambia

National Constitution Conference executive committee issues proposal to ban media from covering its proceedings

(MISA/IFEX) - On 2 February 2009, the Executive Committee of the National Constitution Conference (NCC) proposed that the media in Zambia be banned from covering proceedings of the NCC, a body mandated to examine, debate and adopt proposals for the alteration of the constitution.

Zambia

Court bans "The Post" newspaper from covering former president's corruption case

(MISA/IFEX) - On 28 January 2009, Ndola High Court Deputy Registrar Jones Chinyama banned "The Post" newspaper from covering former president Fredrick Chiluba's case currently before the Magistrate's court. The ban came on the heels of a story published in "The Post" on 28 January, which sought to interpret the meaning of Chiluba's intention to give an unsworn statement in court.

Zambia

Police drop charges against station manager

(MISA/IFEX) - On 26 November 2008, the Zambia Police dropped charges against Radio Icengelo's station manager, Fr. Frank Bwalya, citing security reasons. Bwalya was due to appear at the Kitwe magistrate court on 27 November to answer charges of broadcasting information intended to cause divisions in communities. The police allege this information was broadcast between 1 and 12 November in a post-election radio programme that Bwalya hosted on Radio Icengelo.

Zambia

Minister of Information says government has no choice but to regulate media through statutory means

(MISA/IFEX) - On 25 November 2008, the newly appointed Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha, said the government had no choice but to regulate the media through statutory means because the press had failed to self regulate.

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