Zambia Leader Accused of Squeezing Media

{{Recent arrests of journalists and blocked access to critical websites in Zambia have sparked concerns of a clampdown on media freedom under President Michael Sata’s government.}}

Prior to the 2011 elections that ushered Sata into power, the then-opposition leader promised to free the media from government interference.

But immediately after taking office, he sacked journalists who had been critical of him as well as the heads of state television and newspapers.

In June the government blocked local access to the Zambian Watchdog, a hard-hitting online newspaper.

This month police detained three journalists with ostensible links to the publication, which does not publish its reporters’ names.

Clayson Hamasaka and Thomas Zyambo were held in Lusaka without charge for more than 24 hours after police night-time raids.

Zyambo was eventually arrested and charged with “being in possession of seditious material with intent to publish”.

Police had found him with hand-written biographical notes on Sata.

{agencies}