SECTOR 1 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: Score of previous years: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ 3.6 2017 = 3.8 1.6 Confidential sources of information are protected by law and/or the courts The Public Interest Disclosure Act of 2010 does protect whistleblowers to some extent. The provisions of the new Cyber Crimes Acts supersede existing laws, and therefore erodes provisions in the Public Interest Disclosure Act. “In effect, the whistleblowers’ act has been watered down.” It is now a provision that one must disclose the information (‘intercepted information’) that one receives. The new Act looks at disclosure of information and therefore puts pressure on internet service providers, who will have powers to intercept, record and keep certain data. It is also now compulsory for all cell phone SIM cards to be registered. Some people have been arrested, traced through the details on their SIM cards. There are also concerns about the use of biometric data and facial recognition cameras, used without sensitising the public that they are being monitored in this way. Some media houses will testify against their sources, such as the case of Muvi TV, which was asked to release the entire recording of what was said on air. The case involved a human rights activist who appeared on the Assignment current affairs programme and was arrested at the studio and charged under the Penal Code. Activist Paul Kasonkomona was subsequently acquitted in a High Court ruling by His Worship Lameck Ng’ambi in May 2015. Nonetheless, the Penal Code remains in effect, and its arbitrary use poses a threat to free expression. 14 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2021