Home 9 Media freedom 9 Zambia threatens media with statutory regulation

Zambia threatens media with statutory regulation

13 Apr, 2016
Zambia’s Chief Government Spokesperson, Chishimba Kambwili, has threatened state regulation of the media citing what he termed as “failure by the print media to regulate itself” leaving government with no option but to step in. Speaking at a press briefing on April 6, 2016, Kambwili, who is also the minister of information, stated that some […]

Zambia’s Chief Government Spokesperson, Chishimba Kambwili, has threatened state regulation of the media citing what he termed as “failure by the print media to regulate itself” leaving government with no option but to step in.

Speaking at a press briefing on April 6, 2016, Kambwili, who is also the minister of information, stated that some media houses were allegedly receiving payments from politicians to provide positive coverage.

There has been growing concern over the persistent threats of statutory regulation of the media especially given the country’s human rights record and the existence of several laws inimical to media freedom in the constitution and penal code respectively as well as increased intolerance against media practitioners evidenced by political violence and near fatal attacks on several individual journalists.

Zambia was ranked ‘not free’ in the 2015 Freedom of the Press report by Freedom House, an internationally recognised organisation that seeks to foster freedom of expression.

A few years ago, media organistions, trade unions and other stakeholders through Media Liaison Committee set up the Zambia Media Ethics Councils as a self-regulatory mechanism to enhance media rights and responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Kambwili has reported the Post newspaper to police for alleged ‘phone tapping’ over a story which quoted a phone conversation between himself and Kitwe District Commissioner Chanda Kabwe, stating the act by the publication by the newspaper is a violation of hi privacy.

About MISA

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) was founded in 1992. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media.

Share this

Related news

MISA Regional Annual Report – Now Available!

MISA Regional Annual Report – Now Available!

Thanks to the number of elections worldwide, 2024 was unofficially declared the year of democracy. The year was dominated by elections across the region, with at least four countries — Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa — heading to the polls. There was...

MISA regional director appointed to African Union Working Group on AI

MISA regional director appointed to African Union Working Group on AI

MISA Regional Secretariat Director, Dr Tabani Moyo, has been appointed as member of the African Union (AU) Working Group on Artificial Intelligence. “We accept the responsibility thrust upon our shoulders with humility and honour in service of the peoples of Africa  …...

MISA launches fifth annual state of press freedom report

MISA launches fifth annual state of press freedom report

MISA Regional officially launched the fifth edition of the State of Press Freedom in Southern Africa report on 8 May 2025, a key evidence-based advocacy tool for improving the safety of journalists in the region.   The 2025 report was launched at the belated...

African Commission study on AI and emerging technologies in Africa

African Commission study on AI and emerging technologies in Africa

Introduction In February 2021, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) adopted Resolution 473 regarding the need to conduct a study on human and peoples’ rights and artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and other new and emerging technologies in...