The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has called on media houses to guard against producing news that promote hate speech as nation gears up for the forthcoming general election set for 13 August 2026.
In its media coverage guidelines ahead of the polls, IBA said it will be monitoring all media houses and ensure that they operate in accordance with the laws of the land.
The Authority called for fairness, accuracy, and balanced news reporting as well as the upholding of highest ethical standards by all media houses.
IBA Director General Webster Malido held a press briefing to announce the Authority’s Election Coverage Guidelines.
Meanwhile, IBA has denied issuing any directive to any broadcasting station regarding programming, saying reports that Millennium TV was ordered not to air an interview featuring former Intelligence Chief and presidential candidate Xaviour Chungu are false, Director General Malido has said.
Below are the highlights:
✅️ Dismissed claims circulating on social media that the Authority blocked a television station from airing interviews featuring a political figure, insisting that broadcasters remain fully responsible for their content and editorial decisions.
✅️ Indicated that the Authority neither previews, edits, approves nor censors broadcast programmes before they are aired.
✅️ Clarified that broadcasting stations operate independently and are solely responsible for determining the content they transmit, provided it complies with Zambia’s laws and broadcasting standards.
✅️ Explained that while broadcasters may seek guidance from the Authority on issues relating to broadcasting ethics and standards, any advisory opinions issued by the IBA are not directives to approve, alter or suppress programme content.
✅️ Further noted that the Authority is empowered under Section 5 of the IBA Act No. 17 of 2002 to provide advisory opinions when clarification is required, but stressed that such guidance should not be misconstrued as censorship.
In other news, IBA and the Zambia Police Service and have pledged to further strengthen their collaboration, particularly in relation to the security and safety of broadcasting stations, as the country prepares for the August polls.
During a courtesy visit at Zambia Police Service Headquarters in Lusaka recently, IBA Director General Mr Webster Malido, who led the delegation, highlighted the importance of the longstanding relationship between the two institutions, noting that it has supported the Authority in effectively carrying out its statutory mandate.
He also underscored the need to continue building on this partnership in the interest of national development and service to the public.
Inspector General of Police Mr Graphel Musamba noted that the collaboration could also be expanded to include awareness initiatives that promote peace, lawfulness, electoral security, and media safety.
He reaffirmed the Police Service’s commitment to working closely with the media, recognising it as an important partner in national development, crime prevention, public education, and the promotion of peace and security.
He further emphasised the value of continued dialogue and constructive engagement between the Zambia Police Service, the IBA, and media stakeholders.
The meeting builds on ongoing cooperation between the two institutions in recent months. In March this year, the Zambia Police Service supported media capacity-building during the IBA Election Reporting Workshop held in Choma, Southern Province.