IDEAS Insights Net Neutrality & Development - lessons from Zambia | Page 7

It is also important to consider Zambia’s political context to understand the significance
of internet usage nationally, and the country has experienced the crystallisation of
authoritarian governance under President Edgar Lungu. Social media and the internet
are seen as platforms for heterodox ideas by the regime, and thus politically-motivated
disruption of broadband networks often occurs in areas supportive of the political
opposition. [8] Around the 2016 election, a move by the government of this sort was
answered by riots and the arrest of hundreds of Zambians. [9] Furthermore, there is
growing suspicion about the government employing ‘trolls’ to spread false rumours
about the opposition and disinform the public for political gains. [10] This is clearly a
symptom of an emergent type of authoritarianism in numerous countries.
The government can indeed leverage its power in this way, as the country’s fibre
network is partially state owned, which allows almost arbitrary control of connectivity
and access. In addition, the government has imposed new regulations, by recently
enacting a new tax to be levied on all internet calls to protect large telecom companies.
Facebook’s Whatsapp, Skype and Viber have become popular communication
platforms among citizens, who enjoy the convenience of free calls. As justification, the
cabinet noted the protection of Zambian jobs and companies by taxing the foreign
internet companies. Activists fear this backlash is rather the state’s ‘systematic attempt’
to constrain Zambians’ freedom of expression and association. [12] However, despite
the low penetration rate and availability of access, the internet and its social media sites
still remain a significant platform for social and political discourse and mobilisation, and
have become a vital part of Zambian civic life. [13]
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