STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA community radio station due to lack of content to broadcast, non-payment of licence fees, being irregularly on and off air and dilapidated studios and other infrastructure challenges. It was noted by the Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ms. Dora Siliya that government had reconsidered re-issuing the licence because the radio station had adhered to all the recommendations that were made by IBA when cancelling the operating licence in March this 2019. She noted that government considered the appeal by the Kafue Community Radio Station to reinstate its broadcasting licence for the latter to serve the people of Kafue and enhance democracy. She said government, the IBA and Kafue community radio station are all interested in serving the people of Zambia. On its part, Kafue FM has endeavoured to adhere to the guidelines from the IBA by investing about K189,000 to rehabilitate the studio infrastructure. It must be noted that the radio station has also bought modern studio equipment as guided by the IBA when the licence was cancelled. 4.3.2 Censorship In a case that may seem like a case of censorship and an infringement of the freedom of expression, on 21st October, 2019, The News Diggers Newspaper Publication carried a heading “Chingola Police Nab Man for Calling President Edgar Lungu A Dog” It was reported that the Police in Chingola had arrested and detained a 48year old man who allegedly defamed President Edgar Lungu by calling him a “a dog and a goat”. The man was identified as Simon Malasha of house number 133 Nyati road in Chingola’s Chiwempala Township. The paper reported that the man accused President Lungu of causing misery to the Zambian People through load shedding and high mealie meal prices. Meanwhile, the same newspaper reported that Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga confirmed this in an interview. She said police arrested the suspect on October 8, 2019 around 16:00 hours. 23