State of the media report Q1-2021 In a statement, Ms Mwale says digital rights entail the ability of citizens to enjoy their rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly and access to information online without hindrance. She further explains that digital rights demand data protection for online users and unnecessary surveillance from the state and those on whose platforms personal data is generated. Ms Mwale has since urged the state to hasten the enactment of the data protection bill. She has however warned against the abuse or misapplication of the national cyber security policy to develop legislation that would hinder the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms by citizens in the country adding that digital and other online platforms must be left open to allow citizens’ participation in governance issues. Alert-15th January (News Diggers) On 15/01/21 the News Diggers Newspaper carried a head line “HONEYBEE Pharmacy Limited has threatened to sue News Diggers! Media Limited for libel over the publication of “false” articles against them regarding distribution of defective condoms and drugs”. In a letter addressed to the Diggers managing editor, Honeybee’s lawyer Tutwa Ngulube stated that on several dates, Diggers! had “maliciously” published several articles without verification from Honeybee. Ngulube complained on behalf of his client that News Diggers! further published an article that Honeybee had supplied defective condoms when in fact not. “We have been retained by Honey Bee Pharmacy Limited of Lusaka to represent them in this matter and are kindly, therefore, note our interest. Our clients have instructed us that it has come to their attention that on several dates including the 11th January, 2021, did maliciously publish several articles of and concerning our client’s business without verification or getting balanced. In one of the articles titled: ‘years of HIV/AIDS fight lost to leaky Honeybee Condoms,’ in your newspaper, our clients complain that in your said article you clearly attacked their business and you have alleged without facts or truth that our clients obtained the tender with dubious means when in fact not and there is no evidence to support those malicious allegations,” Ngulube stated in the letter delivered in Lusaka, Friday morning. “Our clients further state that you have alleged that our clients are the ones that supplied the defective condoms when in fact not. Our clients deny your allegations and state that they have never supplied any defective condoms. Our clients state that they have a certificate of acceptance issued by Medical Stores Limited, which shows that the goods they supplied were not defective. This certificate was issued in line with the contract.” Ngulube, who is also Kabwe Central PF member of parliament, alleged that the news stories published by the paper were without truth and had in turn caused commercial and reputational damage to Honeybee Pharmacy. Communique-19th January (Times of Zambia) The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has directed radio and other broadcasting stations to stop asking for their caller’s personal information live on air when participating programmes. IBA Director-General Josephine Mapoma said, requesting callers to reveal personal Information like National Registration card numbers, in part or full, full names and mobile numbers live on air posed a security risk to them. 35