Zambia

Wilson Pondamali was released from jail on 31 July 2013, but must still answer to four charges in October. The journalist is suspected of having links to a critical online news publication, the Zambian Watchdog.

Actions taken by Zambian authorities against three journalists are the latest in a series of escalating tactics against the “Zambian Watchdog”. Clayson Hamasaka, Thomas Zyambo and Wilson Pondamali have been detained out of suspicion that they are affiliated with the website.

Thomas Zyambo, a journalist suspected of having links to the Zambian Watchdog, has been charged with sedition. The Zambian Watchdog is seen as critical of the ruling party, the Patriotic Front, and has recently come under verbal attacks from party sympathisers.

Clayson Hamasaka and Thomas Zgambo are likely to be charged with defaming Zambian president Michael Sata. The pair has been in separate police confinement since t9 July 2013 after a raid on their houses. They are suspected of running or being part of the Zambian Watchdog, an online website that largely provides news services on Zambia.

On 18 June 2013, supporters of Zambia’s ruling Patriotic Front party disrupted the annual general meeting of Mkushi FM and demanded to be elected to the board of the radio station.

Suspected supporters of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) have attacked TV journalist Njenje Chivu, and also seized his camera. The journalist says that he was then threatened with unspecified action if he went on to broadcast photos he had taken.

Eleven private broadcasters have rejected the Draft Digital Migration Policy, developed by Zambia’s Ministry of Information. The broadcasters are asking for the government to consult relevant stakeholders before continuing to develop the policy.

United Party for National Development supporters assaulted and threatened to kill two journalists from the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

A year after President Michael Sata was elected in Zambia on promises to improve media freedom, his Patriotic Front party is patting itself on the back while some media workers remain sceptical about just how far the country has come, a report by the International Press Institute finds.

After three years of negotiations, the voluntary self-regulation body was finally launched.

Zambia Alert 29 June 2012 Police detain two journalists; erase footage of torture victim from TV camera On Thursday, 21 June 2012, members of the Zambia Police Service detained two journalists from privately-owned Muvi TV reporter and the state-owned Times of Zambia newspaper. The two had gone to investigate allegations of the torture of a […]

MISA is deeply concerned by numerous reports of threats to journalists by politicians.

The first draft consists of several progressive articles and clauses on media freedom, freedom of express and the right to access information.

ARTICLE 19’s submission focuses on Zambia’s compliance with its international obligations in respect of freedom of expression.

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.

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