SECTOR 1

Journalists, especially those employed by the state, “have to watch what they say”.
If they speak out against the government, they know they will be victimised by
being denied promotion or even by being fired. Journalists are very careful in
Zambia and even send questions to interviewees beforehand.
“Victimisation is very real in the newsrooms of the state media. People are even
scared to joke.”
Even private media enterprises, such as radio stations, have been threatened by
government officials for allowing too much criticism of government through
listeners’ opinions.

“Victimisation is
very real in the
newsrooms of the
state media. People
are even scared to
joke.”

In January 2011, Radio Lyambai, a community radio station
in the Western Province, was forcibly closed down by police,
who even confiscated equipment, following government
orders. This was a reaction to a live phone-in programme
on the station, which was perceived to be controversial and
allegedly incited people to rise up against the government.
Other community radio stations, including Radio Yangeni
and Sky FM, have received threats from government
officials in the past two years in relation to what listeners
have been saying on air.

In July 2011, members of a news crew from the privately owned Muvi TV were
attacked and beaten up while on an assignment. Subsequent arrests by the police
of 46 people indicated that two of these people were ruling Movement for
Multiparty Democracy (MMD) cadres who had incited the crowd to attack the
journalists. Muvi TV is known to report critically on the government.

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2011

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