The Zambian government is considering introducing regulation for the mushrooming on-line media in order to "protect the citizens from being violated by unprofessional publishers," local newspaper said Monday.

Zambia has seen a rise in on-line media which has become a major source of news for citizens with a decline in printing media in the country.

However, the government have criticized the unprofessionalism of some on-line publications, which it said, caused "sleepless nights" for the authorities.

"The idea of having on-line media is good as such publications have promoted free speech and democracy by enhancing timely flow of information but with the downside of the alarming level of unprofessionalism committed by unethical publishers, the ministry will try to protect the public from being violated," Isaac Chipampe, director for press and media development in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, was quoted as saying by the paper.

He said the government has put in place laws regulating radio and television stations, the on-line media fell outside the regulations hence the necessity to introduce new regulations.