As Zambia approaches the 2026 election, media freedom advocates warn the country’s democratic progress will be judged by how freely journalists can report during the campaign. Observers say some improvements under President Hakainde Hichilema since 2021 are visible, but structural, legal and economic pressures keep independent journalism vulnerable.
Unequal access to public media is a top concern for opposition parties and press-rights groups. Opposition leader Saboi Imboela and other critics argue state-owned outlets tend to favour the ruling party, leaving opposition figures largely dependent on private media for visibility. Analysts warn that unequal coverage during elections can erode public trust and depress democratic participation if voters perceive the playing field as tilted.
Press environment: more open, but fragile
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia and other local monitors say the media landscape has opened compared with earlier years, but remains fragile. MISA vice chair Kennedy Mbulo notes that financial constraints, reliance on advertising revenue and ongoing political influence continue to undermine editorial independence. Election periods, in particular, typically raise stakes and intensify pressure on reporters covering corruption, governance and campaign activity.
Legal and economic pressures
Journalists and rights groups point to a set of existing laws that still create fear and uncertainty, despite some reforms. Legal provisions on sedition in the Penal Code, elements of the State Security Act and Zambia’s cyber laws are cited as punitive tools that can be used against reporters. Joan Chirwa, executive director of the Free Press Initiative, says those legal measures mean newsroom staffs must often weigh the risks of investigating sensitive topics.
Economic fragility compounds the legal risks. Media owners and editors say low advertising income, shrinking budgets, low pay and job insecurity make outlets more susceptible to influence from powerful advertisers and political actors. Costa Mwansa, president of the Media Owners Association of Zambia, has warned that financial vulnerability increases the odds that editorial decisions will be swayed by commercial or political pressures. Even after the Access to Information Act was enacted in 2024, journalists report continued difficulty obtaining public documents and reliable information.
Digital space: opportunity and danger
The growing online media environment is reshaping how campaigns are covered and how citizens engage. Citizen journalism and social platforms have widened participation and given younger voters new avenues for political discussion. At the same time, observers caution that misinformation, online harassment and targeted political propaganda are likely to intensify as the campaign season heats up. Zambia’s cyber framework, intended to curb malicious online activity, has faced criticism for provisions that can be used to restrict digital expression.
Calls for stronger institutions
Trade unionists and media analysts say consolidating gains will require stronger institutions and practical reforms to protect journalists’ ability to work freely and safely. Fletcher Mushimbwa and others argue that laws on the books are only part of the solution; enforcement, independent oversight, sustainable funding models for public-interest reporting and protections for whistleblowers and sources are also needed.
Government response
Government officials maintain they are committed to media freedom and professional journalism. Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa has defended the administration’s record, pointing to the Access to Information Act as an example of widening democratic space, while urging journalists to operate responsibly. The government says it will protect freedoms while ensuring reporting adheres to ethical standards.
Elections as a litmus test
Media experts say the 2026 elections will be an important gauge of Zambia’s democratic maturity. Ensuring fair coverage, protecting independent reporting and tackling misinformation are seen as essential to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process. As Joan Chirwa put it, press freedom is not only a matter of law but also of creating an environment where journalists can work freely, safely and sustainably.
With campaigning shifting increasingly online and political tensions likely to rise, rights groups, media owners and journalists say vigilance and practical reforms are needed now to prevent backsliding and to preserve the gains made since 2021.