Hiked tariff on internet calls is double taxation – MISA

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and Bloggers of Zambia have expressed concern over Cabinet’s decision to introduce a 30 Ngwee tariff on internet calls, describing the tariff as a form of double and punitive taxation.

And the two organizations have expressed worry with the fast speed at which the government is moving to enact the Cybercrime and Cyber security bill aimed at regulating internet usage, especially social media in Zambia

In a joint statement, MISA Zambia Chairperson, Helen Mwale and Bloggers of Zambia Founder, Richard Mulonga are calling on the government to withdraw the tariff and rather consider investigating in the sector to ensure that all Zambians have access to affordable, reliable and open internet.

They says the 30 Ngwee per day tariff is a major threat to freedom of expression, access to information, media rights, freedom of assembly online and an affront to the enjoyment of digital rights.

They add that the 30 Ngwee tariff falls within a pattern of government clampdown on online expression, adding that the tariff on internet calls will limit access to basic rights and will harm businesses.

They feel the underlying objective of the tariff is to stifle free expression rights of millions of Zambians who increasingly depend on online tools to communicate, further stating that this is a systematic attempt of censoring online platforms.

And the two organization have reiterated that the process of enacting the Cybercrime and Cyber security bill must be made open and transparent for input from citizens, bloggers,journalists and activists.

They have since demanded that the process of enacting the Access to Information law and the operationalisation of the Media and Communications policy be expedited together with the cyber laws.