Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
Court drops contempt case; asks Director of Public Prosecutions to take it up
(MISA/IFEX) – On 27 January 1998, the Lusaka High Court dropped its intentions to have “The Post” newspaper editor-in-chief Fred M’membe, senior reporter Reuben Phiri and human rights activists Lucy Sichone and Alfred Zulu answer contempt of court charges, reports the Zambia Independent Media Association (ZIMA/MISA-Zambia). The contempt charges followed remarks carried in Phiri’s 12 […]
Editorial ruled to be in contempt of Parliament
(MISA/IFEX) – On 28 January 1998, National Assembly deputy speaker Simon Mwila ruled that the editorial published in “The Post” on 16 January headlined “Useless House” was contemptuous of Parliament. On 20 January, Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) members of Parliament had demanded the arrest of “The Post” editor-in-chief Fred M’membe because his editorial stated […]
Three journalists briefly detained in Zanzibar; journalist goes into hiding
(MISA/IFEX) – Three journalists were briefly detained by the Zanzibar police on 4 January 1998 while on assignment to cover demonstrations, reports MISA-Tanzania. Journalists Mwinyi Sadala of “Nipashe” and photo-journalist Khalfan Said of the “Guardian” newspapers were detained at Madema Police Station for three hours for attempting to interview detained opposition leaders. Sadala and Said […]
Judge clears editor of contempt of court charges
(MISA/IFEX) – The publisher and editor-in-chief of “MoAfrika Newsweek” magazine, Candi Ramainoane, was cleared of contempt of court charges by Justice Winston Churchill Maqutu on 9 January 1998. Ramainoane ‘s charges came from an application filed by four cabinet ministers. The four wanted the court to cite him for contempt for allegedly ignoring an earlier […]
Members of parliament demand “The Post” editor’s arrest
(MISA/IFEX) – On 20 January 1998, ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) members of parliament demanded the arrest of the” Post” newspapers’ editor-in-chief Fred M’membe, reports the Zambia Independent Media Association (ZIMA). The call comes after the paper published an editorial critical of parliament on 16 January. **See IFEX alert of 20 January 1998 for […]
Journalists, human rights activists’ court appearance rescheduled
(MISA/IFEX) – On 19 January 1998 “The Post” newspaper editor-in-chief Fred M’membe, senior reporter Reuben Phiri and two human rights activists appeared before the Lusaka High Court on alleged contempt of court charges. The case was rescheduled to 22 January following an application by Kaunda’s lawyers that it may take time to conclude and delay […]
Newspaper raided
(MISA/IFEX) – According to reports, on 15 January 1998, Malawian soldiers stormed the offices of the “Daily Times” demanding copies of a story alleging that the rate of HIV was higher in the army than in society in general. The article, published 5 January, quoted Kaunland Nkosi, a journalist and self-confessed AIDS carrier. The story […]
Journalists and human rights activists summoned to court
(MISA/IFEX) – On 13 January 1998 the Zambian High Court issued an order summoning “The Post” newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Fred M’membe, and senior reporter Reuben Phiri, as well as two human rights activists, for alleged contempt of court. No date has been fixed yet for their appearance. **For related cases, see IFEX alerts of 13 and […]