By Delicious Mathuthu
Lusaka, Zambia – The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has appealed to Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema to refrain from signing into law two recently passed pieces of legislation, citing serious concerns over their potential impact on human rights and civil liberties.
The two bills in question, the Cyber Security Bill and the Cyber Crimes Bill, were approved by the Zambian Parliament on March 31, 2025.
MISA, a regional media advocacy organization operating across eight Southern African countries, with it’s secretariat based in Harare, Zimbabwe, however contends that the legislation fails to align with international human rights standards.
In a letter delivered to President Hichilema on April 5, 2025, MISA Regional Governing Council Chairperson, Jeremias Langa, urged the President to reconsider the enactment of the bills.
“While there is a need to curb cybercrime and enhance cybersecurity, it is important to balance these with human rights concerns and ensure that any legislation is human rights-centric,” said Langa, who also chairs the MISA Mozambique National Governing Council.
MISA’s core objections center on the potential for abuse of power and unchecked surveillance.
The organization says the bills grant excessive authority to the executive, encourage mass surveillance and lack the necessary judicial oversight mechanisms to protect citizens’ rights.
Contentious, MISA noted, is Section 21 of the Cyber Security Bill, which proposes the establishment of a central monitoring centre.
The provision, according to Langa, raises significant concerns regarding privacy and the unchecked power of law enforcement agencies.
“What is particularly chilling is that the Bills permit police officers to intercept communications, enter premises, and retrieve data without adequate checks and balances, jeopardising civil liberties,” he said.
MISA has called for amendments to ensure stronger protections against misuse, advocating for judicial oversight in any surveillance activities.
The organization also recommends that any warrants issued for interception be time-bound and clearly defined in scope and purpose.
In its statement, MISA also encouraged President Hichilema to delay the enactment of the bills.
Experiences from Zambia’s southern neighbours, Zimbabwe, show that the introduction of such legislation, like the Cyber Crime and Data Protection Act, is having significant implications for the media industry.
While the law aims to combat cybercrime and protect personal data, it has raised concerns regarding its potential to restrict press freedom and limit journalists’ ability to report freely.
Blessed “Dhara B” Mhlanga, a journalist with Alpha Media Holdings, was detained under the Act, accused of broadcasting press conferences by a politician, war veteran Blessed Geza, calling for Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation
He has spent over a month in remand custody.
The act includes provisions that criminalize the dissemination of false information online, which critics argue can be used to silence dissenting voices, curbing investigative journalism and free expression.
Journalists and media organizations face increased scrutiny and the risk of prosecution for publishing content deemed to violate the law, thereby creating a chilling effect on press freedom.
The act has also sparked debates about privacy concerns, particularly around data protection, which could complicate how media outlets handle sensitive sources and personal information in Zimbabwe.
