Lusaka, July 20, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Zambian authorities to immediately release journalist MacPherson Mukuka after four days in detention and not to criminalize journalism carried out in the public interest.
Mukuka, a journalist with state-owned
Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC)
, has been
detained
at Kabwata Police Station in the capital Lusaka since July 17 in connection with an alleged violation of Section 10 of Zambia’s 2025 Cyber Crimes Act, which prohibits recording a private conversation without prior notice, according to the journalist’s lawyer Simon Mulenga Mwila, who spoke to CPJ, and a police statement, reviewed by CPJ.
Mukuka is
accused
of publishing the secret
audio recording
on the
EARTH Television – Zambia
Facebook page, which reports on climate issues. The 30-minute recording is described on the page as involving public servants in a Presidential Campaign Team committee discussing how they will work with polling station staff to “help people vote for their master.” CPJ was unable to verify the authenticity of the recording.
If found guilty, Mukuka could be imprisoned for up to two years, be fined up to 200,000 penalty units (US$4,450), or both.
“The detention of a journalist under the Cyber Crimes Act for publishing material that appears to be of significant public interest is deeply troubling, particularly with Zambia’s upcoming elections on August 13,” said CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal. “The public has a right to know about matters that may affect the integrity of the vote. MacPherson Mukuka should be released immediately and any charges that criminalize his legitimate journalistic work should be dropped.”
Mukuka’s detention comes as Zambia awaits a court judgment on October 20 on a
petition
filed by the
Law Association of Zambia
and the nonprofit
Chapter One Foundation
challenging the constitutionality of several provisions of the
Cyber Security Act
and
Cyber Crimes
… [more]
