Amnesty International on Thursday urged Zambian authorities to drop all charges against journalist MacPherson Mukuka, and release him from detention following his arrest for posting a private conversation involving public servants on social media. Mukuka, a journalist with the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), was arrested on July 17 for recording a private conversation between Zambian public servants in a presidential campaign team without their consent and uploading it onto social media. It also stressed that Zambian authorities should comply with the country’s human rights obligations by ensuring that the media can report on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals or retaliation. Rights groups have previously condemned Zambia’s deteriorating human rights record and its restrictive media laws. Freedom of expression is enshrined under Article 20(1) of the Zambian Constitution, and this includes the right to hold opinions, impart ideas, and information.