Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf)

Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) is a regional non-profit, non-governmental communication for development organization.

Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) is a regional non-profit, non-governmental communication for development organization that seeks to amplify voices of the poor and marginalised to shape the development agenda

16/04/2026

ECZ Announces 70 new constituencies

Electoral Commission of Zambia
Ishiwi

Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) today participated in a stakeholder meeting organised by MISA Zambia to identify ...
08/04/2026

Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) today participated in a stakeholder meeting organised by MISA Zambia to identify and agree on violation categories and to grade them by severity.

This comes against the backdrop of increasing challenges faced by journalists and media institutions in Zambia, including harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and various forms of censorship.

The meeting brought together key institutions, including the Human Rights Commission, the Zambia Police Service, and the Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia, alongside civil society and media representatives.

The engagement aimed to foster inclusive dialogue and build consensus on a harmonised framework for identifying, classifying, and responding to media and digital rights violations, guided by severity, impact, and urgency.

Zambia Police Service Spokesperson and Public Relations Officer, Godfrey Chilabi, encouraged journalists and media practitioners to report cases of cyber harassment and cyberbullying as soon as possible, noting that such reporting should become the norm to enable effective response and protection.

Panos is with IVerify Zambia April 2 marks International Fact-Checking Day—a global celebration of truth and accuracy. A...
02/04/2026

Panos is with IVerify Zambia

April 2 marks International Fact-Checking Day—a global celebration of truth and accuracy. At Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf), promoting truth, accuracy, and Media and Information Literacy remains at the heart of our work to strengthen information integrity for a healthy democracy.

We honor fact-checkers and journalists everywhere who defend the truth, combat misinformation, and help protect society.

If it’s not verified, don’t share it.


UNDP Zambia
Poynter
Africa Check
ZimFact
Ishiwi
Bloggers Of Zambia
MISA Zambia

Today, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) participated in the launch of the 2026 State of Digital Rights Report by B...
31/03/2026

Today, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) participated in the launch of the 2026 State of Digital Rights Report by Bloggers Of Zambia. The event brought together government representatives, CSOs and the media at the launch of the report, which highlighted key developments shaping Zambia’s digital space.

The report reviews major developments from 2025, highlighting progress in digital transformation as well as challenges affecting freedom of expression, access to information, privacy, and online participation.

Speaking at the event, Salome Sichali, a representative from Diakonia Zambia Country Office, said both Diakonia Zambia and BBC Media Action were deeply encouraged by the progress that Bloggers of Zambia continues to make in strengthening the enabling environment for independent media, freedom of expression, and access to information. She added that the launch of the report was not only timely but also foundational to the country's current democratic trajectory.

In his address, Nkula Mwanza, Director of Telecommunication at the Ministry of Technology and Science (MOTs), said the launch should be seen not as an endpoint but as a starting point for dialogue and action. Mr. Mwanza further stated that the report is a tool for accountability and a guide for action in advancing digital rights in Zambia.

Today's edition of The Magnet Newspaper carried a story based on our recent Stakeholders Dialogue on Access to Informat...
30/03/2026

Today's edition of The Magnet Newspaper carried a story based on our recent Stakeholders Dialogue on Access to Information in Zambia. The dialogue, which was supported by Diakonia Zambia Country Office, brought together decision makers from the Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Information and Media, civil society representatives, cooperating partners and media practitioners to reflect on implementation of the Access to Information Act, identify gaps/barriers, and explore solutions

Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) held a Stakeholder Dialogue Meeting on the Access to Information Act in Lusaka y...
26/03/2026

Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) held a Stakeholder Dialogue Meeting on the Access to Information Act in Lusaka yesterday. The event brought together various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information and Media, the Human Rights Commission, the media, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), youth representatives, who participated in the discussions.

Mr. Vusumuzi Sifile, the Executive Director of Panos Institute Southern Africa, spoke at the event, highlighting the significance of the ATI Law as a reflection of the country's commitment to transparency, accountability, and democratic governance.

He emphasized that while having a good law is important, its effective implementation is crucial. The ATI Law is not the government’s responsibility alone, but requires active participation from all citizens.

Meanwhile, Salome Sichali, a representative from Diakonia Zambia Country Office underscored the need for a well-informed citizenry capable of accessing information to engage meaningfully in civic participation.

Mr. Lenham Mudenda from the Ministry of Information and Media - Zambia also addressed the audience, calling the implementation of the ATI Act a milestone that would enhance transparency and accountability in Zambia's governance.

The dialogue provided an important platform for stakeholders to discuss and exchange ideas on the effective implementation of the law, with insights drawn from reports on Panos’ ongoing efforts to promote the ATI Act in various provinces.

This information session is part of the Advancing Rights and Democratic Accountability in Zambia Project, implemented by Panos and supported by Diakonia Zambia Country Office through the Deepening Democracy Facility (DDF).








23/03/2026

As part of ongoing efforts to promote Access to Information and enhance citizen participation and accountability, under the Advancing Rights and Democratic Accountability in Zambia project, supported by Diakonia Zambia Country Office through the Deepening Democracy Facility (DDF), 1,520 forms on ATI guidelines and regulations have been distributed in Isoka, Mkushi, Chinsali, and Kitwe during information sessions and town hall meetings.

These forms help citizens understand their right to access public information and equip them with the tools needed to navigate the ATI process, fostering greater transparency in local governance.

In Kitwe, Maliseera Mweenya, Programmes Assistant, demonstrated how to request information from Information Officers in the local language, ensuring clarity and accessibility for all.

The engagements across the districts encouraged both citizens and public institutions to engage interactively, discuss implementation challenges, and promote proactive disclosure of information, ultimately strengthening service delivery and accountability.








22/03/2026

Darlington Kitungu, one of the stakeholders who participated in the ATI Information Session in Kitwe, shares his insight on the ATI and the importance of appointing Information Officers in various institutions.

Diakonia Zambia Country Office




Community members in Kitwe today took part in a town hall meeting on the Access to Information (ATI) Act, conducted by P...
21/03/2026

Community members in Kitwe today took part in a town hall meeting on the Access to Information (ATI) Act, conducted by Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf).

Participants asked questions, sought clarifications, and discussed procedures for submitting information requests using the prescribed ATI forms, which Information Officers to contact, including how to follow up when requests are delayed or deferred.

Their keen interest demonstrated a growing public demand for transparency and accountability in local governance.

The meeting was attended by the Ward Councillor Masoka Manda, highlighting the role of local leadership in supporting citizens' right to information.

This town hall meeting concluded the ATI engagements in Kitwe, which are part of the Advancing Democratic Accountability in Zambia Project.

These activities are supported by Diakonia Zambia Country Office, through the Deepening Democracy Facility (DDF).


Some of the stakeholders who participated in the ATI information session posed for a photo following the engagement in K...
21/03/2026

Some of the stakeholders who participated in the ATI information session posed for a photo following the engagement in Kitwe yesterday. 💡

Diakonia Zambia Country Office

Yesterday Panos conducted an Access to Information (ATI) session in Kitwe District, bringing together civil society orga...
21/03/2026

Yesterday Panos conducted an Access to Information (ATI) session in Kitwe District, bringing together civil society organizations, faith-based groups, government representatives, and the media.

Stakeholders discussed challenges in accessing information, emphasizing the critical need for public institutions to appoint Information Officers to streamline the request process and give citizens a direct point of contact.

Discussions also focused on development issues in Kitwe, including the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), with an emphasis on transparency and accountability in public service delivery.

Discussions also focused on development issues in Kitwe, including the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), with an emphasis on transparency and accountability in public service delivery.

The session provided practical guidance on ATI request procedures, with facilitator Maliseera Mwenya walking participants through the prescribed forms for accessing, processing, and responding to information requests, essential tools for citizens seeking information from public institutions.

Participants welcomed the engagement, noting that it empowered them with the knowledge and skills to exercise their rights, enabling them to use the law to promote transparency, accountability, and improved public service delivery.

Diakonia Zambia Country Office
UK in Zambia




#2026

Today, during a town hall meeting in Chinsali District, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) engaged community members...
18/03/2026

Today, during a town hall meeting in Chinsali District, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) engaged community members on the Access to Information (ATI) Act and its guidelines for requesting information from public institutions.

The meeting was well attended by community members, including Ward Development Committee (WDC) representatives.

The session was also graced by the Ward Councillor, who participated in the discussions on how citizens can utilize the ATI law to access information on governance and service delivery issues affecting their communities.

Diakonia Zambia Country Office


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No. 19 Commander Street, Off Alick Nkhata Road, Mass Media
Lusaka

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 14:00

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+260978778148

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