THOMAS NGALA
Lusaka
THE Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has called on all broadcasting stations in Zambia to put in place clear editorial guidelines that categorically prohibit the hosting of religious or traditional healers with misleading claims.
Some radio stations have continued to feature religious and traditional healers making claims such as promises of instant wealth, vengeance against enemies, restoration of lost lovers, or similar deceptive outcomes.
During a briefing yesterday, IBA board chairperson Chikosola Chuula said to safeguard the public and uphold content standards, last year the authority issued warnings to licensees that broadcast programmes with the content in question.
He said such messages exploit the emotional and financial vulnerabilities of audiences.
“Despite the authority’s guidance, some stations continued broadcasting such programmes. As a result, regulatory measures were taken, leading to cautions for the affected stations, while others were engaged during visitations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Chuula disclosed that IBA issued nine new radio licences and authorised nine existing ones to expand their coverage to the underserved communities in rural areas last year.
He added that the authority suspended licences for seven broadcasting stations for nonpayment of annual operating fees in the same year.
“By the end of the year, three of the seven stations had complied and had their suspensions lifted, while the remaining four are undergoing regulatory procedures,” he said.
“The authority suspended licences for seven broadcasting stations for nonpayment of annual operating fees.
“By the end of the year, three of the seven stations had complied and had their suspensions lifted, while the remaining four are undergoing regulatory procedures.”
He also said the authority recorded 14 breaches involving nine broadcasting stations.
Mr Chuula said the breaches were identified through content monitoring efforts, and were primarily associated with poor moderation of programmes, content or material likely to disturb public order and broadcasting of unsubstantiated claims.
Other items include broadcasting of unverified information, broadcasting of unedited material, content likely to corrupt the morals of minors and violation of the watershed period.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as we start the new year, the authority will continue to build on the achievements of 2025.”
And Mr Chuula said the authority will this year accelerate digital transformation, enhance content monitoring and compliance in view of the 2026 general elections and strengthen stakeholder engagement.
He added that it will transform organisational culture, support regulatory reforms by developing regulations following the enactment of the IBA Act of 2025 and enhancing internal controls.
