Zambia’s media licensing bill could jail unregistered journalists for five years, drawing alarm from press freedom advocates and civil society groups

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] proposed Zambia bill that threatens journalists with up to five years in jail for operating without a government licence has triggered alarm among press freedom organisations and civil society groups.

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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Monday condemned the Zambia Institute of Journalism Bill, calling it a dangerous attempt to stifle independent journalism under the guise of professional regulation.

“We are deeply concerned about the lack of transparency in the legislative process surrounding the Zambia Institute of Journalism Bill, which would place alarmingly restrictive controls on the media,” said CPJ’s Africa Programme Coordinator, Muthoki Mumo.

“We call on the government to ensure that this bill, which was publicly disavowed by President Hakainde Hichilema, does not become law.”

A draft version of the bill, reviewed by CPJ, would mandate all practising journalists to obtain an annual licence from a new regulatory body, with penalties including five years’ imprisonment or fines of up to 200,000 Zambian Kwacha (approximately \$8,000) for violations.

The bill also targets media employers and individuals impersonating journalists.

Despite being disowned by President Hichilema, the bill has already passed internal review by the legislative committee after being drafted by the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Media Liaison Committee (MLC).

We are deeply concerned about the lack of transparency in the legislative process.

The MLC claims the bill is designed to “uphold professionalism,” though its acting chairperson, Felistus Chipako, declined to respond to CPJ’s request for comment.

Critics argue that the bill represents a renewed assault on press freedom in a country where media regulation has long been contentious.

A similar proposal was scrapped in 2022 after widespread backlash. Zambia’s High Court had previously ruled in 1997 that mandatory registration of journalists was unconstitutional.

Tensions have been mounting since President Hichilema’s administration enacted two controversial cybersecurity laws in April, granting the government sweeping surveillance powers.

The CPJ warns that these developments, alongside attempts to amend the constitution ahead of 2026 elections, are part of a broader pattern of democratic backsliding.

While the president claims the bill does not represent official government policy, media watchdogs remain sceptical, pointing to the justice ministry’s involvement and the timing of the proposed legislation.

Media organisations and rights groups are calling on Zambian lawmakers to scrap the bill entirely and recommit to upholding press freedom as enshrined in the country’s constitution.

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Zambia’s journalists, already grappling with shrinking editorial space and political pressure, now face the added threat of criminalisation for simply doing their jobs.