SECTOR 1

of a number of provisions affecting freedom of expression in the country. (See
indicator 1.1)
The amendments to the ZNBC Act are also problematic to media freedom, and
interfere with the operations of the media. The act allows government to appoint
the ZNBC board. “Even if it [the ZNBC] is meant to be independent, this is an
issue.”
The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act also poses potential
restrictions to freedom of expression, as it gives the state, through the Zambia
Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), the authority to
register .zm domains. It also allows state officials to monitor internet activity, and
allows for the use of electronic information in the court of law.

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:

2.6
(2011: n/a; 2009: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2005:n/a)

1.4 The Government makes every effort to honour
regional and international instruments on freedom of
expression and freedom of the media.
Government has signed and ratified several regional and international instruments
on freedom of expression, but these instruments are seldom ‘domesticated’ or
implemented.
“We’ve ratified almost everything that needs to be ratified. Domestication is the
issue.”
“We are not standing by the things we have ratified.”
To date, media instruments ratified by the Zambian government include the
Windhoek Declaration, the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2013

17

Select target paragraph3