Independent Broadcasting Authority - IBA Zambia

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 - 𝐃𝐆

INDEPENDENT Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Director General Webster Malido says the organisation remains committed to ensuring fair play and preventing the spread of misinformation as the country heads to the polls.

Speaking on Tuesday when he appeared on Radio Phoenix’s flagship programme, 𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠, Mr Malido said the Authority has a mandate to protect members of the public from information that is divisive and promotes hate speech.

He called on radio stations to “raise the bar” in vetting content and providing political guests with the dos and don'ts of broadcasting as the country goes through the electoral process.

Mr Malido urged broadcast stations not to allow themselves to be used to promote information that misleads members of the public, adding that accuracy and factual information remain key to democracy.

During the programme, the Director General also highlighted the work of the IBA in clamping down on fraudulent advertising that promotes unverified supernatural powers.

He urged members of the public to lodge complaints with stations airing such programming and to inform the Authority in line with the prescribed complaints procedure.

The visit to Radio Phoenix formed part of the Authority’s mandate to raise awareness about the work of the IBA.

Programme Alert!

Tune in to Sky FM tonight at 19: 00 hours for the Sky Forum to learn more about our work.

𝐈𝐁𝐀, 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐀 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐆𝐄

Today, the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and the Levy Mwanawasa Centre for Democracy and Good Governance discussed areas of collaboration aimed at supporting credible elections, promoting responsible media practices, and combating misinformation ahead of the August 2026 General Elections.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both institutions to fostering an informed electorate, strengthening democratic participation, and supporting a media environment that contributes to peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections.

Speaking during the engagement, IBA Director General Mr. Webster Malido commended the Centre for its continued efforts in promoting democratic values, civic participation, and leadership development in Zambia and across the region.

He reiterated the Authority's commitment to strengthening compliance, enhancing collaboration with stakeholders, and promoting a media environment that supports accurate and responsible dissemination of information during the electoral period.

Delegation leader Dr. Jean-Paul Kimonyo, Regional Director of the Levy Mwanawasa Centre for Democracy and Good Governance, emphasised the critical role of the media in informing citizens, promoting accountability, and safeguarding democratic processes, particularly during elections.

The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation among institutions working to promote democracy, good governance, media responsibility, and access to accurate information as the country prepares for the August 2026 General Elections.

PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IBA CORRECTS MISINFORMATION ON ALLEGED BAN ON POLITICAL SONGS
Lusaka, 31st May, 2026 – The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has noted reports circulating on social media alleging that the Authority has banned political campaign songs.
The IBA has no jurisdiction to ban songs in Zambia. However, in line with its mandate to regulate broadcasting services, the Authority guides broadcasting stations on content aired on their platforms to ensure compliance with broadcasting standards and applicable regulations.
In this regard, the Authority has issued guidance to all broadcasting stations on the airing of election-related content, including political campaign songs and any political advertisements.
The guidance reminds stations of their responsibility to ensure that campaign songs and other political content do not promote hatred, division or hostility, do not contain inflammatory or unverified allegations, and instead promote responsible, issue-based political discourse that supports peaceful, fair and credible elections.
The Authority routinely engages broadcasters on compliance matters to ensure that all content, including political songs and advertisements, adheres to the Election Coverage Guidelines and broadcasting standards.
The IBA will continue to support and guide broadcasters to promote peaceful and credible electoral discourse during the election period.

Mr. Webster Malido
DIRECTOR GENERAL
INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (IBA)

Programme Alert!

Director General Mr Webster Malido will be on Radio Christian Voice today to discuss Electoral Reporting Guidelines.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1D1dSEiUKf/