According to the latest edition of the Freedom of Expression (FOX) Report, access to information remains a challenge for most journalists in Zambia, despite the enactment of the Access to Information (ATI) Act.
The report, covering the period July to December 2025, reveals that 65% of journalists who participated in the survey indicated that it is not easy to access information in Zambia, while 23% described it as difficult, and 11% said it was very easy. Compared to the previous report, 64% of respondents indicated that access was not easy, 21% described it as difficult, and 12% said it was very easy suggesting that there has been minimal change in access to information, with only a 1% difference recorded.
The report further indicates that 79% of journalists do not find it easy to access government officials, while 21% reported that they are able to access most officials. In comparison, the previous report showed that 83% of respondents indicated difficulty in accessing government officials, while 17% said it was very easy.
The findings highlight that access to government officials remains difficult for most journalists. Respondents cited a lack of responsiveness, with many officials ignoring calls and text messages, as well as lengthy bureaucratic procedures required to obtain information.
Speaking during the launch of the report in Lusaka, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media, Mr. Thabo Kawana, represented by Director for Press and Media, Mr. Morden Mayembe, commended MISA Zambia, on behalf of the government, for its continued dedication to producing the report since its introduction in 2022. He noted that the FOX Report has become a valuable reference point for understanding the state of media freedom, freedom of expression, and digital rights in Zambia.
He added that the report comes at a crucial time as Zambia prepares for the 2026 General Elections, emphasizing the need to strengthen democratic foundations by ensuring citizens have access to information and can express themselves freely without fear.
Mr. Kawana further stated that access to information remains a cornerstone of democracy and that the government is actively working towards the full implementation of the Access to Information Act, including strengthening institutional frameworks and building capacity within public institutions.
Speaking at the same event, MISA Zambia Chairperson, Lorrain Mwanza Chisanga, urged the government to strengthen the implementation of the Access to Information Act, improve the responsiveness of public officials, and review laws that may inadvertently restrict media freedom.
She noted that the FOX Report is not merely a reflection of challenges, but also a call to action and a reminder that democracy is not static, it requires continuous effort, vigilance, and collaboration.
Mrs. Chisanga added that as Zambia moves towards the 2026 General Elections, all stakeholders must commit to fostering an environment where diverse voices are heard, information flows freely, and the media operates without fear or undue interference.
Meanwhile, MISA Zambia National Director, Austin Kayanda, thanked cooperating partners and stakeholders for their unwavering support towards the production of the FOX Report. He added that MISA Zambia remains committed to working with government, civil society, the media, and cooperating partners to promote an enabling environment where fundamental rights, such as access to information, are fully realised.
The FOX Report is a brainchild of MISA Zambia and has been produced since 2022. It is based on stakeholder perception analysis of freedom of expression, media freedom, and digital rights in Zambia.
