**Updates previous IFEX alert of 4 February 2000** (MISA/IFEX) – The following is a MISA press release: MEDIA STATEMENT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2000 The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) strongly condemns the recent threats emanating from the Zambian government directed against non-governmental organisations in Zambia, in particular the Zambia Independent Media […]
**Updates previous IFEX alert of 4 February 2000**
(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a MISA press release:
MEDIA STATEMENT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2000
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) strongly condemns the recent threats emanating from the Zambian government directed against non-governmental organisations in Zambia, in particular the Zambia Independent Media Association (ZIMA) – the national chapter of MISA in Zambia – the Inter African Network for Human Rights (AFRONET) and the Zambian Independent Monitoring Team (ZIMT).
It is entirely unacceptable for government or public officials to assume the role of gatekeepers of public debate and discussion, and to attempt to suppress critics by threatening to silence them.
We call on the Zambian government to immediately desist from further threats against ZIMA, AFRONET and ZIMT. Any further steps in this regard would, in our view, be in breach of a number of human rights guaranteed by Zambia’s constitution, and could constitute grounds for legal action.
As an organisation dedicated to the defence of media freedom and freedom of expression, MISA believes an integral part of government accountability and responsibility is the right of all citizens and groups to engage in political debate and discussion. MISA recognises the right of public officials to equally express their views in responding to any claims against their office, but does not accept that their right of reply extends to veiled threats of state-imposed closure of the organisations concerned. A mature response would consist of a rebuttal of the arguments inherent to the debate on health which preceded these threats.
We further call on the Zambian government to uphold the principles of free speech and free expression, since these are neither favours extended by government to its citizens nor priviledges enjoyed by citizens, but fundamental human rights guaranteed in Zambia’s constitution.
Issued by Jeanette Minnie
Regional Director – Media Institute of Southern Africa
