Following several arrests of journalists and numerous attempts to hack and block access to the government-critical news website Zambian Watchdog, the press freedom group Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a strong statement denouncing the ruling party’s conduct.
“It is alarming to see a democratically elected government determined to silence and intimidate its critics,” said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Sue Valentine. “On the eve of Nelson Mandela’s birthday, we call on President Michael Sata to honor freedom of speech and to heed Mandela’s words that a critical, independent, and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy.”
The CPJ issues this statement after two journalists were arrested, Clayson Hamasaka and Thomas Zgambo, the latter of whom was charged with sedition for allegedly having written an obituary of President Michael Sata – a common practice among most media houses for living heads of state and other celebrities.
These arrests were followed by yesterday’s arrest of Wilson Pondamali, a freelance journalist, who was picked up by police while he was traveling from the capital, Lusaka, to his home in Kabwe in the evening. The Zambian authorities have yet to disclose where Mr. Pondamali is being held or what he is accused of.
Access to Zambian Watchdog remains blocked inside the country, with several high ranking officials, including Vice President Guy Scott, having gone on record to say they agreed with the censorship and repression of critical journalism.
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