The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has reported an overall improvement in broadcasting content standards in Zambia, despite recording 14 breaches involving nine stations in 2025. IBA Board Chairperson, Chikosola Chuulu, said the Authority also suspended licences for seven broadcasting stations last year due to non-payment of Annual Operating Fees. “The Authority recorded fourteen (14) breaches involving nine (9) broadcasting stations.
These breaches were identified through content monitoring efforts,” Chuulu said at a media briefing in Lusaka on Monday. He explained that the breaches were mainly linked to poor programme moderation, broadcasting content likely to disturb public order, airing unverified information, and unedited material. Chuulu, said other violations included airing content likely to corrupt the morals of minors and disregarding the watershed period.
He said the Authority took regulatory action in line with the Guidelines for Enforcement and Handling of Compliance Breaches, issuing warnings and engaging affected stations during visitations. “To safeguard the public and uphold content standards, the Authority issued warnings to licensees broadcasting programmes featuring religious or traditional healers who made misleading claims, such as promises of instant wealth, vengeance against enemies, or restoration of lost lovers,” Chuulu said. “These messages exploit the emotional and financial vulnerabilities of audiences; however, despite the Authority’s guidance, some stations continued broadcasting such programmes,” he said.
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Chuulu reminded all stations to implement clear editorial guidelines prohibiting the hosting of individuals who make misleading claims. Despite these breaches, Chuulu noted improvements in several areas, including timely licence renewal applications, display of broadcasting licences in conspicuous places, and upgrades to broadcasting infrastructure and secured premises. He also highlighted a major development in the sector with the enactment of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Act No.
25 of 2025, describing it as a turning point for Zambia’s broadcasting landscape. “The new IBA Act, once fully operationalised, will not only strengthen the Authority’s regulatory framework but also modernise the sector by harnessing technology,” Chuulu said. “It paves the way for greater efficiency, transparency, and inclusiveness, creates opportunities for innovation, encourages investment in digital platforms, and enhances the quality of content available to the public,” he said.
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