STAKEHOLDERS CONDEMN ARREST OF ZNBC JOURNALIST OVER CYBER CRIME CHARGE

By Josphat Mbewe

The Zambian Civil Liberties Union-ZCLU- has condemned the arrest and detention of ZNBC Journalist Macpherson Mukuka on cyber-crime-related charges, describing the action as an attack on press freedom and the public's right to information.

Mr. Mukuka has been detained in connection with an alleged offence of prohibition of recording a private conversation without prior notice, contrary to section 10 of the cyber-crimes act no. 4 of 2025.

ZCLU Acting Executive Director Derick Chekwe has argued that journalism should not be criminalized, emphasizing that investigative reporting plays a critical role in exposing wrongdoing and strengthening democratic accountability.

He adds that Journalists often rely on evidence gathered through investigations, including information obtained from private meetings and conversations, to uncover matters of public interest.

Mr. Chekwe says the arrest reinforced concerns it had raised before the cyber-crimes Act was enacted, noting that several provisions of the legislation pose risks to civil liberties, particularly freedom of expression and media freedom.

He has since called for Mr. Mukuka's immediate and unconditional release and withdrawal of all charges against him, arguing that prosecuting Journalists for exposing alleged wrongdoing undermines the public's right to know.

Meanwhile, Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre-AIPAC- Executive Director Solomon Ngoma says the Journalist's arrest demonstrates the dangers the organization had warned about when the cyber laws were enacted without adequate public consultation.

Mr. Ngoma says civil society organizations had cautioned that the legislation could be misused to suppress fundamental freedoms, but their concerns were ignored during the law-making process.

PHOENIX NEWS