FPI condemns detention of Mast reporter

FPI condemns detention of Mast reporter

By Thandizo Banda

THE Free Press Initiative (FPI) has condemned the detention of Kabwe-based Mast journalist Thandizo Banda for taking pictures of a vehicle carrying Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis.

Zaloumis was at Chowa Police Station in Kabwe to see her murder-accused daughter, Maria Zaloumis, who has been detained in connection with the murder of 20-year-old Enock Simfukwe.

FPI Zambia founder Joan Chirwa said Banda was detained for three hours and released after being forced to pay an admission of guilt fine for alleged conduct likely to cause a breach of peace by using his phone to take photographs of the ECZ boss.

“This raises concerns about the treatment of media professionals and the misuse of loosely defined offences to restrict legitimate reporting,” Chirwa said in a statement seen by The Mast.

She said the admission of guilt fines in such cases bypassed the proper legal process and pressured individuals into accepting liability where no offence might have been committed.

“These fines are often paid out of fear rather than true admission and risk reinforcing a culture of intimidation and self-censorship among journalists, who may feel discouraged from reporting on matters of public interest,” Chirwa said.

He said journalists were not bystanders but professionals who serve the public interest.

“Taking a photograph in a public setting, particularly of a public figure involved in a matter of public concern, is standard journalistic practice.

Framing such conduct as likely to cause a breach of peace is not only legally tenuous but undermines the legitimate role of the press,” Chirwa said

She said the function of the media as the fourth estate was to inform the public, question power, and report facts without fear or favour.

“Punishing a journalist for carrying out this role undermines

transparency, weakens accountability, and limits democratic participation. FPI condemns the actions of the police in this matter and calls for stronger commitment not only from the government but also from law enforcement officers to respect the rights of journalists and uphold media freedom as guaranteed under the Zambian Constitution. Harassment and intimidation of media practitioners must not be tolerated,” Chirwa said.

The media watchdog urged the government to review and reform laws surrounding breach of peace, which continue to impede the work of journalists, as seen in the case of Thandizo Banda, who was detained for merely doing his job.

“Furthermore, FPI calls for stronger solidarity among media practitioners across both public and private media platforms,” she said.

Chirwa said that as the country moves closer to the 2026 elections, it was important that the space for free and independent journalism was protected.

“Journalists must be allowed to carry out their work without fear of detention, interference, or unjustified charges,” she said.

And political scientist Dr Lawrence Mwelwa said the detention of the Mast reporter had raised alarm among press freedom advocates.

Dr Mwelwa described the incident as harassment of the media, urging police to respect constitutional freedoms.

“The media has a duty to inform the public. Silencing journalists undermines democracy. At the same time, we must guard against trial by media, which could affect judicial processes,” Dr Mwelwa said.

He said the Maria case had drawn widespread national attention, and observers warn that restricting media coverage risks eroding public confidence in the justice system.

And the Zambia Police have acknowledged the arrest and detention of Kabwe-based Mast reporter Thandizo Banda for taking pictures of Mwangala Zaloumis.

According to Rae Hamoonga, Banda was arrested and detained for conduct likely to cause a breach of peace at Chowa Police Station.

“The Zambia Police Service is aware of reports concerning the brief detention of a journalist from the Mast in Kabwe yesterday (Sunday) the August 24, 2025. For clarity, the journalist was detained at Chowa Police Station for conduct likely to cause the breach of peace and was later released after paying an admission of guilt fine in line with the law,” he said.

Hamoonga said the police would continue providing a safe environment for journalists to operate freely.

“We wish to emphasise that the Service values the role of the media in informing the nation and will continue working to ensure that journalists operate in a safe and respectful environment. However, we encourage media practitioners to carry out their work within the confines of the law and without interfering with police operations or compromising security,” he said.