I posted last week about the press freedom crisis in Zambia, Africa's largest copper producer formerly regarded as one of the continent's most democratic states.
According to Chanda Chimba, writing on Africa.com, the harassment and intimidation of media workers - especially those identified as critical of the ruling party, the Patriotic Front - "is on the upswing."
He says some opposition politicians, such as Charles Kakoma, believe recent arrests of journalists violate the law and basic human rights.
Chimba, a former Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation broadcaster who now works for Voice of America, quotes Kakoma, as saying there was more media freedom during the 27 years of Kenneth Kaunda's one-party rule.
Kakoma believes Zambia's current president, Michael Sata, "is taking us many years backwards", accusing his government of "shredding democracy."
Another opposition politician, Gary Nkombo, said the domestic blocking of news websites, such as Zambian Watchdog, was "a very sad day for this country."
An investigative journalist arrested last Wednesday, Wilson Pondamali, is still in detention. He has been charged with stealing, and improperly possessing, military documents.
Sources: Africa.com/Zambian Watchdog
