Outrage as Zambian Journalists are charged with espionage

NINE Zambian journalists working with the independent Post newspaper, including editor-in-chief Fred M'membe, were recently charged with espionage following the publication of a front page article, which appeared in the newspaper on 9 March.

The article that sparked the crackdown had questioned the military capacity of Zambia to withstand an incursion from neighbouring Angola. Angola has accused Zambia of supplying arms to the rebel UNITA movement, which is fighting the Luanda government. The arrest and charging of the nine journalists was preceded by an unprecedented crackdown on the paper which began on 9 March. Six reporters were arrested on 9 and 10 March.

Police tried to arrest more journalists, but they managed to evade the dragnet. The government action attracted resounding criticism from media and human rights groups from around the world. In a letter to President Chiluba, the Executive Director of ARTICLE 19, Andrew Puddephatt, expressed concern about the use of espionage to suppress legitimate debate on a matter of public interest.

He pointed out that Zambia was not at war and that the disclosure contained in the Post article did not actually harm, nor was it likely to harm, a legitimate national security interest. The government action therefore violated The Johannesburg Principles on National Security, Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.

"The Zambian people have the right to debate the government's priorities," said Puddephatt, "and may wish to question the government's spending priorities or contractual agreements if they feel that national defence is under threat." Puddephatt further expressed concern about the seige laid by Zambian police on the offices of the Post.

"The actions described seriously interfere with the media's ability to act on behalf of the public interest and to investigate or question the workings of government," he said, adding that this was a violation of Article 19 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Zambia is a party.