THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has sentenced USA-based vlogger Ethel Edwards, also known as Chisono, to 18 months’ simple imprisonment for hate speech directed at President Hichilema. This follows her plea of guilty to one count of hate speech after a successful bargain process with the state, in a matter where she was facing four counts of seditious practices and hate speech. When the matter came up for commencement of trial before Magistrate Webster Milumbe, the State made an application to amend the charge following a successful bargain process. Following the amendment of the charge, Edwards pleaded guilty to one count of hate speech. Particulars of the offence are that Edwards, on unknown dates but between February 1, 2023 and February...