Zambian police briefly detain 2 Millennium TV journalists covering protest
Lusaka, March 14, 2023—Zambian authorities should refrain from detaining members of the press and should ensure journalists can cover protests without fear of arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On March 10, authorities detained Namo Phiri and Abel Musonda, journalists at the privately owned broadcaster Millennium TV, while they covered a protest by…
Zambian journalist Evans Liyali assaulted by soccer players, team employees
Lusaka, January 18, 2023 — Zambian authorities should thoroughly investigate the recent assault of journalist Evans Liyali and ensure that members of the press can work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On January 14, members of the Green Eagles Football Club attacked Liyali, a sports reporter for the privately owned broadcaster Byta…
Supporters of Zambia’s ruling party raid 2 radio stations for hosting opposition party leader
On December 31, 2022, and January 1, 2023, supporters of Zambia’s ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) raided two radio stations and disrupted broadcasts by Chilufya Tayali, president of the opposition Economic and Equity Party, according to news reports and journalists who spoke to CPJ. On December 31, a group of about 10 people…
Muvi TV journalists arrested, fined after filming Zambian police raid on politician’s home
Lusaka, November 18, 2022 — Zambian authorities should immediately investigate the arbitrary detention of Muvi TV journalist Innocent Phiri and camera operator Obvious Kapunda, nullify their fine and admission of guilt as it was made under duress, and ensure that police do not harass journalists who are covering the news, the Committee to Protect Journalists said…
Zambian officials threaten journalist Wellington Chanda over reporting
At least four officials with Zambia’s ruling political party, United Party for National Development (UPND), threatened Wellington Chanda, a reporter for the privately owned City TV broadcaster in the northeastern town of Kasama, during two separate phone calls on August 7 and 8, 2022, over a City TV report, according to news reports, a statement…
Zambian journalist Eric Chiyuka charged with assault after covering land altercation
Lusaka, April 6, 2022 – Zambian authorities must investigate an alleged police assault of community reporter Eric Chiyuka and immediately drop the charges of assault against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Around 11 a.m. on March 26, Chiyuka, who works for the ruling party-aligned, privately owned online publication CIC Press, was taking…
Police investigate journalist Petty Chanda over leaked audio of government officials
Lusaka, February 3, 2022 – Zambian authorities must immediately drop the criminal investigation into television station manager Petty Chanda and stop harassing journalists whose reporting may embarrass top officials, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On January 18, privately owned Kenmark Broadcasting Network (KBN TV) aired a leaked audio conversation allegedly between Levy Ngoma, political advisor…
Ruling party supporters raid Zambia’s Mpika FM Radio, halt show featuring opposition
At around 8 p.m. on December 1, 2021, approximately 20 people who identified themselves as supporters of Zambia’s ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) forcibly entered Mpika FM, a community radio station in the northeastern town of Mpika, and ordered the presenter on air, Peter Nkandu, to immediately stop broadcasting a weekly phone-in-program, “The…
CPJ joins call urging Zambia to maintain internet access during elections
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 41 other human rights, free expression, and technology organizations in a letter to Zambian President Edgar Lungu, calling on him to ensure that the internet and digital communications remain uninterrupted throughout Zambia’s August 12 general election period. In the letter, dated August 5, members of the #KeepItOn coalition against…