Zambian musician Chama Fumba aka Pilato and five other human rights activists have been acquitted over a 2017 peaceful protest outside parliament.

As Pilato's trial for allegedly disobeying lawful orders continues, the Zambian musician says he will no longer perform in public, for safety reasons.

The trial for Zambian musician Pilato has been adjourned until 24 September 2018.

by Phoenix Gauthier, Freemuse correspondent On 11 August 2016, incumbent Zambian president Edgar Lungu squeezed out a controversial victory in the general elections, taking 50.35% of the votes. In the months that followed, Zambia experienced its worst attacks on press freedom in years. Three of its media outlets were suspended, …

In Zambia, the popular satirical singer Pilato (real name: Chama Fumba) is being prosecuted because of a song he wrote, entitled ‘Alungu Anabwela’. Officials said the song defamed President Edgar Lungu by accusing him of drinking too much and being incompetent. Police said that the song could “provoke public clashes”. …

Lyrics of a hit song which border on encouraging sex with an under-age was condemned in a press statement by the Children’s News Agency and as a consequence, the song ‘Kanselele’ was banned on several radio stations. Unrelated to the row over Krummy’s hit song ‘Kanselele’, a few weeks later, …

Newsletter from Article 19, published on article19.org on 12 February 2014: Art, in any form, constitutes a key medium through which information and ideas are imparted and received. Artist Alert, launched by ARTICLE 19 in 2008, highlights cases of artists around the world whose right to freedom of expression has …

“Many musicians have their music blacklisted because they refuse to pay bribes,” the Zambian reggae musician Maiko Zulu told BBC News on 30 May 2008. Many of his own songs are censored by radio stations because of their lyrics. Maiko Zulu (real name: Michael Somanje Zulu) is best known in …

A few Zambian artists gained further popularity in 2004 by releasing controversial songs, but several artists learned a tough lesson when songs with “vulgar language” were banned by local radio stations and condemned publicly. “Opinion” in Times of Zambia supported the censorship. Story from AllAfrica.com 1 Story from AllAfrica.com 2 …