Zambia / Africa

JOURNALISTS IN EXILE A STATISTICAL PROFILE July 2001 – June 2007 Total who went into exile in this period

At least three journalists a month flee their home countries to escape threats of violence, imprisonment, or harassment. By Elisabeth Witchel and Karen Phillips

Attacks & developments throughout the region

MARCH 11, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 Matongo Maumbi, Radio Chikuni Jyde Hamoonga, Radio Chikuni HARASSED, LEGAL ACTION Maumbi and Hamoonga, two journalists working for Radio Chikuni, a community station in the southern district of Monze, were arrested and charged with publishing “false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public.” The…

February 15, 2006 Original Alert: November 9, 2005 Fred M’membe, The Post HARASSED, LEGAL ACTION The Zambian state declined to prosecute award-winning journalist M’membe for criticizing President Levy Mwanawasa. M’membe, editor of Zambia’s leading daily The Post, was charged with insulting the president in November 2005. He was released on bail after six hours in…

New York, November 9, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists today voiced outrage at the criminal defamation charge brought against award-winning journalist Fred M’membe for criticizing Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa. M’membe, editor of Zambia’s leading daily The Post, was charged and released on bail after six hours in policy custody. He is due in court tomorrow,…

JULY 18, 2005 Posted: August 9, 2005 Community and religious broadcasters THREATENED An Information Ministry official threatened to shutter community and religious radio and television stations broadcasting “political” news or programs, according to local sources.

JUNE 29, 2005 Posted: July 22, 2005 Fred M’membe, The Post HARASSED Police questioned M’membe, editor-in-chief of Zambia’s leading daily The Post, and threatened to charge him with defaming the president in editorial commentaries published by the newspaper. According to local sources, The Post had published a recent series of editorials accusing President Levy Mwanawasa…

New York, June 27, 2005—Police in Zambia have threatened to charge radio host and commentator Anthony Mukwita with sedition after a June 10 broadcast on privately owned Radio Phoenix in which he read an anonymous fax criticizing the government. The fax, signed “Annoyed Zambians,” criticized President Levy Mwanawasa’s administration for allegedly failing to crack down…

JUNE 22, 2005 Posted: June 30, 2005 Anthony Mukwita, Radio Phoenix HARASSED Police in Zambia threatened to charge radio host and commentator Anthony Mukwita with sedition after a June 10 broadcast on privately owned Radio Phoenix in which he read an anonymous fax criticizing the government.