By 
DCAF-Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance has launched a training programme in Lusaka to strengthen Zambian journalists’ capacity for investigative reporting on police conduct ahead of the 2026 General Elections.
The training will explore the relationship between democratic policing, human rights, election security and responsible journalism.
The training is being delivered by Neil Abbott of the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance and will run over three days in Lusaka, with media practitioners from across the country.
Abbott said the programme came at a critical time as Zambia prepares for elections that represent the cornerstone of democratic governance but can also create periods of tension.
“Your presence here reflects the critical role that journalists and media practitioners play in safeguarding democracy, promoting accountability, and ensuring that citizens have access to accurate, balanced, and reliable information during electoral periods,” he stated.
Participants will be taken through the legal frameworks governing police powers and how public assemblies are managed during election periods.
“Investigative journalism is not about criticism for criticism’s sake. It is about seeking facts, verifying information, exposing wrongdoing where it exists, and highlighting examples of professionalism and good practice where they occur,” Abbott said.
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The curriculum will also cover practical skills including evidence gathering, source verification, interviewing witnesses and officials, and digital verification techniques.
He emphasized that effective reporting strengthened public trust, promoted transparency, and supported institutions in delivering their mandates more effectively.
A key focus will be journalist safety and ethical decision-making in politically sensitive environments, with trainers addressing how to report accurately on incidents involving use of force and election-related violence.
“Strong journalism and effective policing are not competing objectives; they are complementary pillars of democratic accountability,” he said.
Abbott urged journalists to engage fully, challenge assumptions and share experiences, saying the stories they report and standards they uphold would shape public confidence ahead of the 2026 polls.
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