…….as freedom of expression fox report launched in Zambia.
Ministry of Information and Media has noted with regret a growing trend where falsehood is generated and people go on to freely express themselves based on the falsehood they themselves have generated.
Officiating at the launch of Freedom of Expression Fox Report, Ministry Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana has observed that most people coming on media platforms are not basing their freedom to express themselves but on lies.
He has advised the media to adopt the debate format of program presentation so that when a lie is told it is dismissed their and then.
“The situation where you feature one person at a time is contributing to misinformation”. “One person comes, anchors his discussion on a lie and then a day later someone comes to clarify”.
“Those who heard the lie would have gone misinformed”. “can we change this! let us promote debate, it is healthy for democracy”. Mr. Kawana lamented.
Mr. Kawana has indicated that currently journalists are enjoying their fundamental freedoms without the fear of reprisals unlike in the past regime where their rights were curtailed with physical attacks which became the order of the day.
He says inspired by President Hakainde Hichilema’s consistent positive pronouncements, the new dawn government works to ensure that media freedoms, freedom of expression, and digital rights are respected and enjoyed by all citizens.
Meanwhile, Misa Zambia Chairperson Lorraine Chisanga says the report does not only highlights prevailing legal and policy challenges but also endeavors to illuminate the importance of fundamental freedoms such as speech, access to information, and media freedom.
“This report serves as a comprehensive resource, offering insights into the state of freedom of expression, media freedom, and digital rights in Zambia, with this particular one focusing specifically on the period from July to December 2023”, says Chisanga.
She says crafted as an advocacy instrument, the fox report aims to enrich ongoing discussions surrounding these critical issues.
Mrs. Chisanga says firmly believe that the findings presented in this report will be instrumental in strengthening the democratic framework supporting freedom of speech and assembly in Zambia.
By Samuel Mbewe