FULL STORY ON MEDIA LAWS IN ZAMBIA THAT THREATEN THE MEDIA FRATENITY/https://makulahajarah.wordpress.com/2018/06/22/media-laws-a-threat-to-media-freedom

Laws regulating the operation of media houses and journalists have been cited as the biggest hindrance to press freedom in Zambia. While the country’s constitution espouses freedom of expression and freedom of expression as fundamental for democratic governance, several provisions in Zambia’s laws have been responsible for arrests and court cases against journalists as well closure of media houses.

According to Dr. Alfred Chanda and Mufalo Liswaniso in The Hand Book of Media Laws in Zambia  the Zambian legal system imposes many restrictions on freedom of expression which threatens the media.

 Although the Penal Code was added to the Republican Constitution (1965-1966) to safeguard national security and serving public interest, the Penal Code became a hindrance to media freedom and abhorrence to public interest according to Dr. Alfred Chanda and Mufalo Liswaniso.

 Section 53 accords the President many powers to declare any publication within and outside Zambia prohibited and many journalists in Zambia have faced charges under this section.

In July 2015, criminal charges were brought against The Post Editor-in-chief Fred M’membe and two reporters for allegedly disclosing classified information in an investigative piece The Post published about corruption in the ruling Patriotic Front party. It is these kinds of cases that journalists in Zambia cite as driving them into self-censorship.

In April 2016 two journalists from the post newspaper were arrested for defaming the president. The paper reported that President Edgar Langu had spent tax payers’ money while on holiday in a hotel in Zambia. The two journalist were arrested under section69 in which Publishing anything that brings the President into hatred contempt, or insulting matter is a crime. The section threatens journalists to report or critices the president’s actions.

The committee for the protection of journalists and Panos institute southern Africa at appoint came to defend journalists who were charged with sedition Thomas Zgabo and Clayson Hamasaka were arrested by government security forces and charged with sedition on July 9.Although they were later  released, it created fear and intimidated  journalists elsewhere in Zambia.

Article 20(3) of the Constitution permits the State to impose restrictions on the freedom of expression and press for the purpose of protecting the reputations.

According Wilson Pondamali to, the government hides under this law to threaten the media fraternity.

The broadcasting sector has a body called The Independent Broadcasting Authority which has powers to shut down and sanction media houses. This causes tension on media houses.

Here below you can click though the PowerPoint on other laws affecting press freedom in Zambia.