SECTOR 1 How exercising the right to free expression can negatively affect journalists is exemplified by the account of a journalist who worked at the Times of Zambia while blogging in his personal capacity about topics he thought of public interest and thus worth discussing. On one of his leave days, he was called into the office, escorted by armed security to the human resource department and handed a letter requesting him to go on early retirement; at the age of 27. Retirement he was not eligible for, due to his young age. It was concluded that there is a culture of accepting “the supposedly correct point of view [on political issues].” If one speaks outside of this accepted point of view one is likely “to be attacked.” People “make an effort to please”. The media is regularly unable or unwilling to provide an alternative side because journalists “are afraid that if they bring critical people on [air] there will be a backlash.” Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 2.4 (2013:2.3; 2011:2.6; 2009:3.0; 2007:2.9; 2005:2.3) 1.3 There are no laws or parts of laws restricting freedom of expression such as excessive official secrets, libel acts, legal requirements that restrict the entry into the journalistic profession or laws that unreasonably interfere with the functions of media. There are several laws that impede on freedom of expression. Section 68 of the Penal Code criminalises the defamation of the president. It states that: Any person who, with intent to bring the President into hatred, ridicule or contempt, publishes any defamatory or insulting matter, whether by writing, print, word of mouth or in any other manner, is guilty of an 16 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2017