Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
MP threatens crackdown against unpopular opinions
(MISA/IFEX) – On 17 March 1999, a Member of Parliament (MP) for the ruling South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO), Nathaniel Maxuilili, threatened to use his influence to ban a popular Oshiwambo-language talk show for allowing people to air what he described as “nonsense” on Namibia’s involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). **Updates […]
Two more journalists arrested and charged with espionage
(MISA/IFEX) – On 20 March 1999, two more journalists from the “Post” newspaper were arrested at their homes and taken to Chestone police station in the Zambian capital where they were charged with espionage. **Updates IFEX alerts of 19 March, 18 March, 17 March, 15 March, 12 March, 11 March and 10 March 1999** Senior […]
“Post” editor-in-chief charged, released
(MISA/IFEX) – On 22 March 1999, Zambian police arrested and charged “Post” editor-in-chief Fred M’membe with espionage, along with eight other journalists from the paper. M’membe was immediately released on bail. He was informed that he would appear in court along with the eight other journalists on 16 April, although police indicated that he might […]
Government printer refuses to print newspaper
(MISA/IFEX) – On 19 March 1999, the state-owned “Zambia Daily Mail” refused to print the twelfth issue of the “Zamcom Digest” – an in-house training newspaper of the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) – claiming that it contained sensitive material. ZAMCOM course coordinator Edem Djokotoe told the “Post” that “Daily Mail” marketing director John […]
Six reporters granted bail
(MISA/IFEX) – The six “Post” reporters who received summonses and were charged with espionage on 17 March 1999 were granted bail of K100 000 (US$43) each on the morning of 18 March. Appearing before the Principal Resident Magistrate in Lusaka, the six were not asked to plead. They were told to appear in court again […]
Six reporters receive summonses, charged with espionage
(MISA/IFEX) – The six “Post” reporters who were arrested and released on a writ of harbeas corpus last week have received summonses and been formally charged with espionage. Those charged are: Brighton Phiri, Kelvin Shimo, Joe Kaunda, Amos Malupenga, Lubasi Katunda and Goodson Machona. **Updates IFEX alerts of 15 March, 12 March, 11 March and […]
Court clears minister of contempt charges; spares newspaper costs
(MISA/IFEX) – On 12 March 1999, the Zimbabwean High Court cleared Defence Minister Moven Mahachi of contempt of court charges following an application in this regard brought by the “Standard” newspaper. However, the court found that his secretary, Job Whabira, was guilty of ignoring the court and subsequently ordered the ministry to pay the legal […]
Post newspaper back on streets as usual
(MISA/IFEX) – The “Post” newspaper appeared on the streets of Lusaka on the morning of 15 March 1999 as usual following a major police operation last week aimed at crippling the paper. **Updates IFEX alerts of 12 March, 11 March and 10 March 1999** The newspaper reports in its latest edition that the plan to […]