Amnesty International demands release of Zambian journalist

The Amnesty International and local human rights campaigners have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Zambian-based investigative journalist, Thomas Zgambo on what it claimed: Tramped up charges warning that ‘journalism is not a crime’ The London-based civil society, founded in 1961, arguably seeking to publicise public violations of people’s rights

Zambia enacts Access to Information law

In what appeared too true to be true, Zambia has assented and enacted the Freedom of Information Bill into law, more than 20 years since the campaigners kick-stated the lobby to have the freedom to report-truthfully-factually. Over the years, various players including the Law Association of Zambia, various living and deceased

Zambia nods ATI as campaigners lie in wait for enactment

After a 21-year-lull, advocates for the access to Information Bill can now sigh with relief after the Zambian Government committed to pushing the much heralded pledge  into law-enhancing press and citizen’s unwavering freedom to information amid misinformation, disinformation and the emerging digital media. Zambia’s cabinet had during a meeting it held

ATI law in Zambia, a mystery?

Interest groups in Zambia have dropped their ' 'chins in disbelief''  by the authorities’ delay to enact the much touted Access to Information Bill into law, 21-years-after-a harsh reality on press freedom and abrogation of civil liberties of the citizens. Zambia’s fight for a law to provide latitude for citizens to

Zambian media divided over media council act

Media bodies in Zambia are divided over the proposed Zambia Media Council Act, 2021 Bill seeking to regulate their mode of operation amid concerns by government of escalating ‘fake news’ and other shortcomings inimical to the profession and violate citizens’ rights. Calls for regulations of the media practitioners have mounted in

Zambia looks back to Cyber Act: Mutati

It came hastily barely months before Presidential and general elections in Zambia, arguably to stifle press and other freedoms and civil liberties, but the new Government believes its enactment was not done in good faith as it segregates some sections of society, media and some politicians. Technology and Science Minister Felix

We’ll support ATI Law: Zambian lawmakers

Lawmakers in Zambia have given thumbs up over the stakeholders relentless quest to push for the enactment of the Access To Information (ATI)  Bill into law this year and will render support as espoused under democratic tenets. Since 2002, media practitioners and other interest groups-donors alike have joined hands into pushing

Newspaper tax threatens industry: MISA

Zambia’s re-introduction of 16% Value Added Tax on digital and newspaper sales is an affront to media freedom and should be reversed to save industry,  interest groups have warned. The 2022 budget for the fiscal year 2022 has re-introduced and passed an amendment to the VAT Act, adjusting the standard rate