The Church, Labour, and the Press in Zambia: The Role of Critical Observers in a One-Party State

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Periodical article

Title:	The Church, Labour, and the Press in Zambia: The Role of Critical Observers in a One-Party State
Author:	Lungu, Gatian F.
Year:	1986
Periodical:	African Affairs: The Journal of the Royal African Society
Volume:	85
Issue:	340
Period:	July
Pages:	385-410
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zambia
Subjects:	political conflicts one-party systems Religion and Witchcraft Labor and Employment Literature, Mass Media and the Press Politics and Government
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/722967
Abstract:	In Zambia, the one-party state constitution was introduced in 1973, nine years after the attainment of political independence. Since then, official opposition has been declared illegal, but the 1973 constitution, styled as the guardian of a 'one-party participatory democracy' guarantees citizens the right to criticize government. This guarantee notwithstanding, the government has generally been intolerant of criticism and has tried to weed out what it terms 'dissident opposition' but with little success. On the contrary, political battles which would ordinarily be fought between parties in parliament have been transferred to other arenas. This article discusses specifically the role of the Christian churches, labour organizations, and the press in criticizing government policies and actions. Notes, ref.