The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed deep concern by Zambian court’s issuance of an interim injunction to prevent the airing of a documentary on Chinese investment in the southern Africa country, pending a June 12 hearing.
The Lusaka High Court issued an interim injunction restraining privately owned publication News Diggers from airing a much anticipated documentary on Chinese investment in Zambia.this move has triggered widespread concern over media freedom in Zambia
The court order, issued on May 22 just a day before the film was set to premiere comes following a lawsuit filed by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Zambia. The lawsuit cites defamation concerns arising from the film’s teaser, which was shared on News Diggers’ official Facebook page on May 20.
The teaser for the investigative piece titled “Chinese Investment in Zambia: The Good, The Bad and The Dangerous” features clips alleging labour abuses and violent incidents involving Chinese-owned businesses in the country.
The documentary was expected to delve into the benefits and dangers of Chinese investments, which have grown rapidly over the past two decades.
“The prior censorship of News Diggers’ documentary is a stark reminder that press freedom is imperiled in Zambia,” said Muthoki Mumo, Africa Program Coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
“Zambian authorities should stand vigilant against efforts to silence the media and should support, rather than undermine, public interest journalism.”
In a letter to News Diggers, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce described the teaser as “disparaging, demeaning and tainting” to Chinese investment in Zambia and demanded that their official position be included in the film.
But media rights groups say the legal action amounts to prior restraint a tool often used to stifle investigative reporting.
The court said the outlet could be guilty of contempt of court if it aired the documentary in breach of the injunction, which carries a penalty of a six-month jail term or a fine of up to 300 kwacha (US$12).