PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
LUSAKA – MISA Zambia welcomes the repeal of Section 69 of the Penal Code which is Defamation of the President.
This section made it a crime to defame the President in Zambia and attracted a jail term of up to three years.
Since MISA Zambia was formed, it has on countless occasions lobbied different regimes to repeal this law as it was inimical to media freedom and freedom of expression. Unfortunately, our pleas fell on deaf ears until now.
We are therefore delighted as MISA Zambia that finally the New Dawn Government has repealed this oppressive law that has seen many journalists charged under it and detained for various periods.
In the same vein, MISA Zambia is elated that the state has put in full swing the process to enact the Access to Information (ATI) Bill. We are also happy that they have developed a roadmap which details the steps towards its enactment.
We therefore commend the government for these efforts on law reforms.
Issued by
Reverend Doctor Fr Barnabas Simatende, OMI, PhD.
MISA Zambia Chairperson
