MISA opposes reintroduction of 16% value added tax

The Media Institute of Southern Africa has opposed the reintroduction of the 16% value added tax (vat) by the government on e-newspapers and newspaper sales saying this will further reduce the already low levels of readership in Zambia.

The government of Zambia through the 2022 budget that was released last year in October passed an amendment to the vat act, adjusting the standard rate applicable to the supply of e-newspaper and newspapers.

MISA Zambia chairperson Rev. Fr. Barnabas Simatende, is of the view that the v-a-t measures should be immediately withdrawn in the interest of the public.

Fr.  Simatende contends that the proposed vat on both the e-newspapers and newspapers will have a negative effect on freedom of expression and access to information by the public.

He feels that the tax would be difficult for the media to meet their social obligations of informing the public if the decision is not reversed.