The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has cautioned all broadcasting stations in the country against requesting callers to disclose personal information such as National Registration Card Numbers live on air when participating in promotional campaign programmes.
In a statement made available to the media today, IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma explains that requesting callers to reveal whether in part or in full, full names and mobile numbers, live on air possess a security risk to them.
“IBA wishes to advise all broadcasting stations against requesting their callers to reveal personal information such as National Registration Card Numbers whether in part or in full, Full Names and Mobile Numbers, live on air when participating in promotional campaign programmes. Revelation of such details poses a security risk to them” she said.
Ms Mapoma said the authority has issued the directive following consultations with the Bank of Zambia.
She added that to this effect, all broadcasting stations should obtain such details from their listeners or viewers, off air in order to avoid public disclosure.
She further noted that the disclosure of personal information on air may result in increased cases of fraud by impersonation thereby affecting the achievements that the country has recorded in migrating people to a digital economy through digital financial services.
“It is important to note that the disclosure of such detailed personal information on air may provide a ripe environment for fraudsters to perpetuate fraud through impersonation and may erode the gains the country has made in migrating people to a digital economy through digital financial services,” she stated.
Ms Mapoma hoped that all the broadcasting stations would comply with the above stated directive.
It’s a good caution..thank you
But why would anyone request for such person information on live broadcast
No job to do this IBA. Journalists should adhere to their own ethics not to a government body designed to censor them.
I am a journalist and I agree. Unfirtunately we have too many people, espeically as radio DJs who have no media training or respect for ethics, or even knowledge of said ethics. If someone you don’t like tells you not to drink poison, will you drink the poison just because you do not like the person who gave the advice?
Sisters of Mercy your allegory is the stuff of spin doctors It is concocted to suit an argument that makes IBA relevant.-. If someone without authority tells me not to drink poison I already know I shouldn’t drink poison so I am not obeying myself not that someone. In this case When oppressive IBA passes instructions I will not obey. I will make up my own mind using my professional knowledge.
corrected
Sisters of Mercy your allegory is the stuff of spin doctors It is concocted to suit an argument that makes IBA relevant.-. If someone without authority tells me not to drink poison I already know I shouldn’t drink poison. So I will be obeying myself not that someone. In this case When oppressive IBA passes instructions I will not obey. I will make up my own mind using my professional knowledge.
It’s dangerous to disclose personal information on air
So all this time IBA did not know that disclosing personal information on air was risky? I guess they do not even know that signing on website using such information is equally risky. What does ZICTA do anyway?
A few years ago when I was listening to one of the radio stations via internet, I was shocked to hear exactly that, from the presenter, requesting nrc details from a caller live on air..it was shocking. In JOURNALISIM in Zambia, THERE IS NO subject covering the personal information act?
The other caller requested to remain anonymous but he was told off, without you give us your name we wont allow you to go ahead. I mean this should be known by all broadcasters that its unethical.
Zambia chooses to remain behind in everything,,just wonder why
Just better to disclose the address of that mansion in Swaziland.
Or how many hectares of land have been gotten in reserve 27.
Or how much the cartel are making from mukula and cannabis trade.
It is fraudulent, criminal and irresponsible of broadcast media or any media to ask for such personal information.
It’s not good to disclose personal details on radio whether in part or in full though nobody who has given such details in the past has ever been disadvantaged or swindled
Funny directive when the state organs, colleges and universities publish names and NRCs of candidates in the newspapers.
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Museveni, had accused the platforms of being biased.
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It’s not right to disclose them