A Zambian-American influencer and political vlogger has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for hate speech for making insulting remarks about Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema.
Zambian-born Ethel Chisono Edwards, who also holds US citizenship and works as an estate agent in New York, has a large following across various social media accounts. Known as One Boss Lady, she has become renowned for her rants about the president over the last two years.
The 42-year-old was arrested at Zambia's main airport three months ago after arriving to attend her grandmother's funeral.
She pleaded guilty in a magistrate's court in the capital, Lusaka, and apologised to the president for her comments.
But Magistrate Webster Milumbe said the court had a duty to send a strong warning, noting that hate speech had become increasingly common.
Edwards, who has been in police custody since her arrest, was convicted under the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act - new legislation that came into effect this year.
She admitted to using a computer system to publish the offensive statements, acknowledged having no lawful excuse and conceded that her words were motivated by hatred.
Her lawyer, Joseph Katati, described Edwards as a remorseful first offender with potential, emphasizing her philanthropic efforts, including sponsoring a girls' football team in Zambia, which would be adversely affected by her imprisonment.
Throughout her court appearances, Edwards appeared subdued, contrasting sharply with her online persona. The magistrate acknowledged her lawyer's plea for leniency but emphasized the need for accountability.
The sentence, effective from her arrest, has evoked mixed reactions in Zambia, with some viewing it as necessary while others argue it infringes on freedom of expression. Although Hichilema's administration abolished specific laws against criminal defamation of the president, broader censorship laws remain in place, maintaining a delicate balance between governance and freedom of speech.
