Yesterday in Lusaka, the Information and Media Permanent Secretary Mr Thabo Kawana, represented by Director for Press and Media Mr Morden Mayembe, officially launched the Freedom of Expression (FOX) Report. The event marked an important moment for Zambia’s media landscape as the country continues to prepare for the 2026 General Elections. The report, developed by MISA Zambia, focuses on assessing media freedom, freedom of expression and digital rights across the country. It also provides a structured view of how these rights are protected and applied in practice. The launch reinforced the growing importance of transparent communication systems in democratic governance.
The FOX Report plays a key role in tracking how freedom of expression is experienced in Zambia’s evolving legal and political environment. It examines how journalists and citizens access, share and publish information under existing laws. A major point raised is that Zambia’s legal framework does not provide a specific statutory definition for journalists. This means journalists do not hold a special legal status and operate under the same legal conditions as any other citizen. They are therefore subject to general laws that govern privacy, defamation and access to information.
The report further highlights that journalists in Zambia face the same restrictions that apply to the wider public under national legislation. This includes limitations under laws such as the Access to Information Act, which regulates how certain categories of information can be obtained and used. While international human rights instruments recognise stronger protections for journalists, the report notes that these protections remain largely aspirational in the Zambian context. This is because many international standards have not yet been fully incorporated into domestic law. As a result, there is a gap between global media freedom principles and their enforcement at national level.
A central recommendation from the FOX Report is the need for sustained dialogue among government institutions, media practitioners, civil society and other stakeholders. The goal is to domesticate international press freedom standards into enforceable Zambian law. This would help ensure that media professionals are given clear legal recognition and protection within the national framework. The report also stresses that such reforms would strengthen accountability and transparency, especially during election periods. It positions legal reform as a necessary step in building a more secure environment for journalism and public communication.
Government commitment to media freedom, freedom of expression and digital rights was also underscored during the launch event. Officials acknowledged the media’s vital role in supporting democratic governance and national development. The FOX Report was described as an important tool for improving transparency in electoral processes and strengthening public trust in information systems. As Zambia moves closer to the 2026 elections, the findings are expected to guide policy discussions and institutional reforms. The emphasis remains on building a media environment that supports both democratic participation and responsible journalism.