SECTOR 1 1.9 The state does not seek to block or filter Internet content unless in accordance with laws that provide for restrictions that serve a legitimate interest and are necessary in a democratic society, and which are applied by independent courts. The state has sought to block or filter internet content, although this is not carried in legislation. “It was just done through the Chinese arrangement.8” A case in point is the blocking of the online news platform, Zambian Watchdog. The current domain name has been blocked, and the only alternative is to access the site through Opera Mini or through a proxy. These are, however, cumbersome. Alternatively, it can also be accessed on Facebook under Zambia Reports and Zambia Watchdog. There has been no proof that government is responsible for blocking the Zambian Watchdog site, but this has been implied through various statements by public officials. An example includes a government official who denied the state was responsible for blocking the site, but remarked that he would be “a very happy man if that site is blocked”. Government “hasn’t said it explicitly for fear of being seen as anti-media”. A panellist also noted that ISPs have said that site blockages are being done by the state, and not by the ISPs themselves. 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: 8 1.3 (2011: n/a; 2009: n/a; 2007: n/a; 2005:n/a) In February 2013, the NGO Global Voices reported that the Zambian government had reportedly engaged “Chinese experts to install a secret internet monitoring facility in the country”. Global Voices noted that “HYPERLINK “http:// news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=8D281D63-EB45-F659-8092EB297F02C732”Authorities plan to start monitoring social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, blogs, email services, and “unfriendly” websites. The government has allegedly spent close to K10 billion (about US$1.8m) on the partnership with Chinese technologists.” Source: Global Voices Advocacy, 2013. Zambia: Chinese Experts to Monitor Internet? 23 February 2013. Retrieved from: http:// advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2013/02/23/zambia-chinese-experts-to-monitor-internet/ on 27 November 2013. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2013 23