Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Media Institute of Southern AFRICA (MISA) Zambia has demanded that the defamation of the President Law should be abolished because it is archaic and discriminatory.
MISA has instead recommended that the Zambia Law Development Commission should come up with a different law that would only allow for a fine once one is found guilty of defaming the president and not a custodial sentence which is currently the case.
Making submissions to the Zambia Law Development Commission on review of the penal Code Act in relation to issues bordering on freedom of expression and freedom of the press today, MISA National Director Austin Kayanda has also demanded for the removal of clauses relating to prohibited publications, Sedious Practices,defamation and the public order Act from the constitution.
He says the clauses are old and archaic and do not apply to the country.
Mr. Kayanda says MISA and its partners will continue putting Government under pressure until it succumbs to the demands of the people.
And Legal Practitioner Daniel Libati has submitted that section 67 of the penal code Act which relates to publication of false news with Intent to cause fear and alarm to the public should be removed.
Mr. Libati says they have proposed that this act be removed because it is an hindrance to press Freedom.
He cited the recent judgment of the High Court by Judge Isaac Chali involving Daily Nation Editor Richard Sakala and Macdonald Chipenzi which determined that it was not constitutional as an example.