Zambia
Zambian newspaper owner receives support from IPI World Press Freedom HeroesPosted Jul 14 2010
IPI World Press Freedom Heroes are calling for Zambian President Rupiah Banda and other authorities to reverse the June 4th court charges for Fred M’Membe, a fellow IPI World Press Freedom Hero.
A year ago, The Post news editor Chansa Kabwela sent photos of a woman giving birth in the street to the Zambian Health Minister and other officials in order to portray the consequences of an ongoing nurses’ strike. This led to Kabwela being charged with distribution of obscene materials. In addition, M’membe, editor and owner of The Post, was charged with contempt for publishing an op-ed article by Muna Ndulo, a Cornell University law professor. The article called the situation with Kabwela a “comedy of errors.”
At the June 4th hearing, M’membe, The Post and Ndulo were found guilty of contempt. M’membe is currently on bail and waiting the outcome of his appeal.