After backlash from various stakeholders over its position on the attacks on broadcasting media houses by Patriotic Front Cadres, the Independent Broadcasting Authority has changed its position and now claims it stands with the media houses over the attacks.
IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma was quoted in some sections of the media advising broadcasting media houses to air pre-recorded interviews to avoid being attacked, a statement that was deemed as an endorsement of the attacks on media institutions by the PF.
Mrs Mapoma advised broadcasting stations to pre-record certain sources to reduce the risk of being attacked following the disruption of radio programs of selected radio stations that were hosting UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema in Muchinga Province via phone.
But IBA Board Chairperson Mabel Mung’omba has differed Mrs Mapoma on the unfortunate incidences that have been recorded at Muchinga, Mpika and Isoka Radio Stations.
Mrs Mung’omba said the Independent Broadcasting Authority shares the same position that was stated by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services in a statement issued on Sunday, 17th May 2020.
“In the statement referred to, the Minister categorically indicated that government remains resolute in its support and promotion of media freedoms in the country, and therefore does not support any form of attacks on media houses”, she said.
Mrs Mung’omba has condemned in the strongest terms harassment and threats of violence against any Broadcasting Station in the country.
She has sympathized with the Stations that have been attacked by suspected cadres.
“We wish to show our solidarity with you and encourage you to remain steadfast as you perform your noble duties of informing, educating and entertaining the audience”, she added.
She has assured Licensees that the IBA will engage key stakeholders to pursue various options that will help to put an end to acts of harassment and violence against broadcasting houses and the sources.
To promote a pluralistic broadcasting industry in Zambia through fair, transparent and effective regulation, Mrs Mung’omba has encouraged broadcasting media houses to promote on air, the Complaints Procedure as stipulated in Section 34 of the IBA Act of 2002.
Furthermore, she has advised broadcasting media houses to report any form of violence on the Station to the Police saying the IBA stands with them in stopping acts of violence on Broadcasting Stations.
There is nothing independent about IBA
Yeah its a toothless rubberstamp of politicians that thinks it has to be in step with the ruling party. Why was this thing set up? To give friends and family jobs? Just listen to Mungomba she cant even come up with her own thoughts. She has to share what the governmet has said: She said the Independent Broadcasting Authority shares the same position that was stated by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services in a statement issued on Sunday, 17th May 2020.
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In most countries women are the champions of democracy….. seems in Zambia they just appeal in media with fake hair with nothing in their heads
Let’s be fair in our criticism of IBA. IBA regulates media houses or pretends to regulate media houses. They don’t regulate the conduct of political party thugs. The police can very easily arrest the thugs but President Edgar Lungu won’t allow that to happen. This is wht makes all fair-minded people miss Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, the only president who put a stop to it during his time in State House.
At this point Madam Mapoma should resign. It clearly shows that she does not in support of a free media and press. All media, according to her, must keep themselves safe by supporting the ruling party. Why should they pre-record? the police should arrest and cage the unruly thugs from PF terrorizing the journalists.
Where was IBA and hh When fr frank Bwalya was attacked in monze on sky fm ? we are not suppoting violence but lets be fair in critisin the IBA, Not only when it happens in other provinces ,it happed here in southern province for those of you with short memories.
Perfect solution. Pre-record off media house premises……..edit recording removing inciting content….., air later.
IBA the only job is to close media houses seen to be critical of the government. There is no other thing they know not even protecting media houses which are harassed. This IBA needs to be disbanded as they have become irrelevant.
Become? they have always been irrelevant.
Pre recording cuts out listeners participation which curtails freedom of speech further! Meaning no more phoning in to contribute
There goes Mable Luo, very wise, sensible, kind and all embracing since her UNZANDO days. She is a much better person than her sister Nkandu.
That dry old cow Joyce Mapoma must retire, how long are some of these faces going to keep on being around even when their use by date is long gone!
There are PF cadres at IBA and we know them . No teeth to bite always following PF government instructions, where is the independence? Useless!
Report to the police? PF police, you crazy?
Am trying to research where I can find democracy without PAIN in this world.
We all know statehouse state security will demand to see the pre recordings before they are aired ……….
That’s a PF trap.
Where are the police ??? Or is invading media houses and forcing programmes off air not a criminal offence ? ??
@spaka you won’t see the police anywhere near this case. Say that Lungu is useless and before you can blink Kanganja will have a battalion of cops surrounding you, even if you said this in remote Kalene Hills near Angola
$#it #0!£ article. Skewed narrative. $+up!+ +#£m£.
When everything in the country is controlled by politicians in power. What a failed project this thing called Zambia is! No one and I mean no one can think and do their jobs independently without appeasing those in power. How do you draw a salary, go home and sleep at night? You should be saving the people of Zambia and not some politician.
When everything in the country is controlled by politicians in power. What a failed project this thing called Zambia is! No one and I mean no one can think and do their jobs independently without appeasing those in power. How do you draw a salary, go home and sleep at night? You should be saving the people of Zambia and not some politician.