BISHOP CHIKOYA WARNS CYBER LAWS MAY STIFLE FREE EXPRESSION AHEAD OF POLLS
By Justina Matandiko
Anglican Bishop Emmanuel Chikoya says Zambia’s cyber laws are instilling fear among citizens and discouraging them from freely expressing themselves, especially as the country heads towards elections.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Bishop Chikoya says laws that make people afraid to speak their minds undermine democratic participation and weaken open public debate.
His remarks come amid continued debate over the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act of 2025, which government says are intended to combat cybercrime, online fraud, and protect critical national infrastructure.
However, the legislation has continued to attract criticism, with Bishop Chikoya arguing that some of its provisions could be used to limit freedom of expression and silence dissenting voices ahead of the polls.
He says authorities must ensure that efforts to strengthen cybersecurity do not come at the expense of constitutional freedoms, warning that a climate of fear can weaken democracy and erode public confidence.
PHOENIX NEWS
Some of these bishops are a disappointment. Surely what does he want people to say which they can’t say now? So this bishop is okay with people abusing the cyberspace in name of freedom of speech? How disappointing to hear such words from a bishop. Isn’t he supposed to be urging people to conduct themselves morally but for him, it seems freedom of speech is more important than morality, even if it means people insulting others in the name of freedom of speech.
I am very disappointed with Bishop Chikoya. Sure as a man of Gid you can encourage people attesting insults against fellow citizens sure. Listen to this ka man who was arrested on 2/7 insulting Thani Kawana and the President together with what he terms “the Zambezi region” and you wonder whether people like Chikoya mean well for Zambia with what he says. I think some of these bishops have an evil agenda and may just be agents of the devil mwe.
HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? HOW? …… PULLEEZE. Stop misleading people.
Cyber laws are not against telling the truth.
They are against LYING, SLANDERING and DEFAMATION.
One would think that a man who reads the Bible every day would know that.
The Bible is against bearing ‘false witness against your neighbour’ (Exodus 20:16). (SLANDER). It is against lying. Revelation 21:8 lists LIARS among whoremongers and sorcerers. 1 Peter 2:17 commands, ‘Honour the king’ (i.e. President).
If you are a TRUE Christian, you will have no problem with Cyber laws in Zambia.
But then, hey, there are so many who say, ‘Lord, Lord…’ but are workers of illegalities (Matthew 7:23).
The media is somehow to blame. When clergyman of his standing makes a statement like that, the media ought to request a long interview with him so that he explains exactly wht he means. He might as well request the dissolution of the Zambia Police Service because its existence threatens citizens’ enjoyment of their freedoms. Only criminals would rejoice the abolishment of the Police. The media should show him some of the videos and ask him what polite society should do with those who made them.
ALL HAS BEEN SAID BY EARLIER COMMENTERS, BUT I WILL ADD ONE OR TWO POINTS.
SEATING IN THAT INFLUENTIAL POSITION OF BISHOP DEMAMDS A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND INTERGRITY.
Proverbs 13:24, reads: “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them”.Several other verses in Proverbs emphasize discipline, such as 22:15, 29:15, and 23:13-14, which speak to using the “rod” to drive out foolishness and bestow wisdom. We can interpret the “rod” as a metaphor for guidance rather than physical punishment (WHIPPING). The core message emphasizes loving correction and guiding children toward wisdom.
Now, the Bishop will recall that during the reign of the PF this country was invaded by thugs calling themselves leaders. They actually hired delinquents and bought them ANDROID phones and lots of bundles to insult people possibly older than their own parents.
People like why me were celebrated and if that is the kind of freedom Bishop Chikoya is talking about, then am afraid he needs to ‘return the money to those that paid him’ to portray the cyber laws as an impediment of the freedom of expression or speech in the political space.
People are free to speak and criticize in a civilized manner but not to set a bad precedence for the growing children of this nation. We are Africans with a culture for God’s sake. Just because we have learnt to speak the white man’s language does not mean we can throw our culture and traditions out through the window. We should not appear to be paid to discard our own ways of life.
BISHOP, I URGE YOU TO REVISIT THAT MEDIA HOUSE AND EXPLAIN WHAT YOU MEANT, PERHARPS ZAMBIANS HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD YOU.