By Dr. Field Ruwe
Frank Mutubila
Presenter, Broadcaster, Journalist Defined
I pen this article in my capacity as a media practitioner. I do so to clarify the misconception regarding Frank Mutubila’s role within the media sector. I have noticed with growing concern followers and those who interview him refer to him as a “veteran broadcaster” or “veteran journalist.” He is neither. Mutubila is a self-made presenter. In this article, I elaborate.
In my Media Studies course at California State University, Fresno, we analyzed the communicative skills of Larry King. The aim of the study was to assess the notable accomplishments in the life and persona of an individual who, despite having only a high school diploma, became one of the most celebrated television hosts of the 20th century.
Lawrence Harvey Zeiger, popularly known as Larry King, was neither a broadcaster nor journalist but rather a presenter(host) of radio and television programs. Born in 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, he lost his father at the age of nine to a heart attack. After completing high school, he took a job as a janitor at WAHR radio station in Miami, Florida, to help support his mother.
In 1957, after the disc jockey at the station resigned, King, who frequently boasted to his supervisor of his potential as an outstanding DJ, was given the opportunity to prove his claim. The experiment marked the beginning of King’s illustrious career as the world’s leading television presenter, a consummate interviewer, second only to the British David Frost.
Whenever Mutubila recounts his life story, he takes a page out of King’s playbook. Much like Larry, he too was ten years old when he endured the bereavement of his father, and initiated his career in broadcasting in 1970, equipped solely with a high school diploma, a common happenstance of the time.
Due to the lack of established local institutions for radio and television training, ZBS offered on-air talent that thrived in the absence of tertiary education. The personnel department sought individuals possessing a natural, versatile voice, a good command of the English language, and the good personality of a showman, with creativity being a fundamental requirement.
It can be stated that in the 1970s, almost all “broadcasters” at ZBS (now ZNBC) were self-made presenters who possessed only a high school diploma. At the time of my joining ZBS in 1975, the General Service (English Channel) was headed by Caleb Banda. Staff comprised Saboi Sishimba, Lewis Muliyunda, Mario Malyo, Charles Mando, Mann Sichalwe, Fred Chunga, Kenneth Maduma, Haggai Chisulo, Harold Besa, Mpazi Sinyangwe, Joseph Kuluneta, and Emelda Yumbe.
The television department headed by Ignatius Chileshe included Frank Mutubila, Timmy Mvula, Leornard Kantumoya, Chris Chinonge, Chewe Chiluba, Doreen Mukanzo, Emmanuel Kunda, and yours truly, who transitioned to the television production department from the radio technical department in 1976. A select few underwent a three-month training at the BBC, London, by courtesy of the British Council and returned home with a certificate of attendance. Among those who gained from the BBC courses was Mutubila.
When I first met Mutubila, he was known to have an elitist superiority complex that fueled his work ethic. He spoke with a distinctive and often phony British nasal accent, characterized by the habitual use of the verbal filler “you know, you know,” which became a hallmark of his persona.
For some of us who were acquainted with him by virtue of work, speculated that he embraced a “white” vocal style to project an air of sophistication. Emulating a British accent was, at that time, a psychological and sociological strategy employed by some to appear more “civilized” and “intelligent,” thereby circumventing the biases linked to vernacular English.
Mutubila honed his communication skills by employing his phony British accent, which ultimately secured him the role of presenter of the nightly “Tonight” program on Television Zambia. Over a span of 53 years, despite his apparent compensatory superiority complex, Mutubila has excelled as a presenter with a faux accent in both radio and television, deserving the title of Veteran Presenter, and not Veteran Broadcaster.
My class assignment on Larry King clarified the fundamental definition of the term “presenter.” King frequently asserted that he was not a broadcaster, but rather a presenter, or as he often referred to himself, an infotainer. Throughout his time at CNN, the approach taken by its gatekeepers was designed to create distinct boundaries within the media environment. This initiative was intended to ensure that staff comprehended the significant professional implications of the terms “presenter,” “broadcaster,” and “journalist.”
While “presenter” and “broadcaster” are frequently utilized synonymously, they each embody distinct interpretations of their roles and priorities. A presenter focuses on the delivery aspect. He serves as the “front person” who hosts, conducts interviews, connects segments, and introduces content, all the while engaging the audience and maintaining an effective on-screen presence.
Presenters may be employees or external facilitators who adjust to social contexts, participate in political discussions, manage moral frameworks, or provide entertainment. In my days they included outsiders like Mateo Phiri, Manasseh Phiri, Stanley Makulu, and Dennis Liwewe. They did not require compulsory academic qualifications.
In contrast, a broadcaster is a versatile professional who possesses both technical knowledge and extensive experience within the broadcasting sector. This individual is involved in research, scriptwriting, directing, and presenting content across various mediums such as radio, television, or digital platforms.
To proficiently conduct research and write scripts, along with having the technical abilities needed to operate broadcasting equipment, it is generally necessary to hold a foundational qualification, typically a bachelor’s degree in communication or broadcasting.
In the realm of “journalism,” the notion is perpetually evolving in accordance with its context. This ongoing transformation frequently results in its misuse in favor of alternative media forms. In its non-traditional dimension, journalism includes all media professionals and gifted free-lancers who participate in the gathering, reporting, and sharing of news. Given that it functions beyond the established norms of traditional media, specific qualifications for journalism are not necessary.
Traditional journalism, however, remains a fundamental pillar of the profession. Within its professional framework, it requires a distinct set of educated skills that markedly differ from those needed in broadcasting. Its role is associated with a long-standing ethical tradition of collecting, verifying, and distributing news via platforms such as newspapers and magazines. In Zambia, to secure a position with a newspaper organization, one must possess either a diploma or a bachelor’s degree.
Larry King preferred to be called a presenter or infotainer because he lacked a formal degree in broadcasting. His high school diploma was insufficient. Following his passing in 2021, journalism professionals recognized him as the quintessential American presenter, celebrated for his suspenders, direct questioning style, and over 50,000 interviews. Unless Frank Mutubila has since obtained a degree in broadcasting, his high school certificate denies him the title of Veteran Broadcaster or Veteran Journalist.
Author is a scholar and media practitioner affiliated with Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He holds a Doctorate in Education, MA in World history and BA in mass communication and journalism. A scholar is not merely a writer of academic articles; rather, he is an academic who engages with ontological and epistemological issues, participates in critical thinking, and possesses extensive knowledge in a specific field.
Field Ruwe Kulibonesha…..this moron Field Ruwe overates himself way too much….in real life he’s just a useless Pompwe attention seeker….if i was Frank Mutubila i should have just kept quiet…..Field wants the attention so bad….please don’t give him any audience or platform…he’s full of jealous
I could have have put it any better ruwe is just a jealous chap , so self centred and egotistical that he has written his own wikipedia profile and hos own birthday article praising himself as a scholar yet his scholarly works let alone articles or journals . Search for him on google scholar you will not find him at all . Perhaps even the so called PhD is as fake as Ed Chomba’s . First his PhD was in media yalikokola after 8 years ukwisaumfwa fye at doctorate in education . Let him just sit his ass down if his wife Dr Bwalya did not ship him to the us he would still be faking his popularity as a man with a longest queue in town .
When that guy start writing about an individual, those individuals die.
Sata, Edgar, RB etc all died…
Dr. Ruwe, report Anonymous to the FBI for your own safety. He hates you so much you might find him at your doorstep or he might hire some one. I am really worried about him. The FBI can crack the internet and find him. I am also worried about the graduates he employs. He might just lose it when he fails to pay them. Watch out!
Field Ruwe should be role model to young people. Muntu mukulu wasting time to write such BS.
Ati “Dr Field Ruwe” ….my asssss…..at your Mr Ruwe why can’t you just shut up and start preparing to meet your maker instead of spending time online 24/7 putting other people down…to me you sound very uneducated…..boasting na njala….do you even own a single property….its an abomination to be living in a rented one bedroom apartment at your age. …….so stop putting other people down….Frank Mutubila is more popular and powerful in Zambia than pompwe Field Ruwe
@Anonymous. Death wish, have you been to Ruwe’s home? I have, and what you portraying here is a blantant lie. I doubt you have attained the same level of education by the way you write. You leave in a country in which freedom of expression is part of the constitution, yet you fail to appreciate the opinion of others. Instead, you totally lose your mind and start foarming from the mouth. Don’t hide behind your computer, come out in the open, you crazy coward.
Anonymous this Kawishi responding to you is actually field ruwe himself
Anonymous , do not be intimidated by small minded ruwe with fake names here Katwishi, Worried Man or Mr Educated Man
@Katwishi
You’re just a useless Pompwe just like moron Field Ruwe….yes i have no education but right now am employing 3 degree holders……i stopped school in Grade 4 term 1
I agree with you totally about education
Education without common sense equals zero
the mess we in surely confirms that with the thousands of so called learned and degree holders around us
Frank Mutubila is a public figure and as such has thrust himself into public controversy because he is highly susceptible to intense scrutiny and criticism. Criticism has arisen from how he has lived his life. Ruwe is not criticizing him, he is telling the nation that because he holds only a high school diploma he remains a veteran presenter. That’s a fact. He did not say Frank is dull, stuip and useless. The descriptions he has accorded him are part of his biography, accents included.
@Katwishi
I don’t need your education but if you’re looking for employment “Mr Educated man”…please fill free to call my company……i might have a position for you…makaka
A company as anonymous as the poster? Yes, A company only in the head can employ anyone anytime.
@Katwishi
I live in Zambia don’t be fooled by the US flag….
Stop attacking Uncle Frank Mutubila…ba chule imwe…… i would rather listen to Valdan Findlay(my hero) than listen to useless degree holders…..vizingu mukamwa but no shishi mu pocket…..matole yenu
What filthy language!
Mutubila is more of a Zairean than either a journalist or a broadcaster. Loud mouth (like Elias Mpondela), showy disposition, leading him to losing his dear lady. Look at his hair style in the photo on top of this article, Zairean!.
Jealous
Journalism being the symbol of freedom of expression is difficult to box and define. Also, it incorporates arts and science. Arts by nature are difficult to define.
I would describe Frank as a broadcaster. He has spent his life broadcasting even if he doesn’t have the professional qualifications. He has the knowledge and experience. Kalusha Bwalya and a thousand other football kickers have no playing qualification but we can’t call him anything else but footballer. Without qualifications he was African Footballer of the year.
Very nice example: Kalusha is not just a footballer but a great one. Can we say because he has no football qualification he isn’t a footballer?
Take note Lionel Messi has a Footballer qualification having grown up in a football academy.
Sorry my wife’s reminding me Kalusha has a FIFA coaches qualification. Kennedy Mweene? Footballer of course but according to Ruwe’s article No. Goalkeeper, not Footballer. Guys, aren’t we unnecessarily splitting hairs?
If field ruwe is even half educated like he claims he is supposed to sigh as field ruwe PhD or something equivalent to his education discipline Dr is for Medical practitioners because a medical doctorate predates tgese phds . Yama ba ruwe ubufi muleke and stop hiding in those various nom deplumes like Katwishi and others we know you
He definitely is a journalist. Presenting is but a part of journalism
This article has hit the nail right on the head. We have been seeing Frank on our screens for decades but just as a presenter nothing else.
But the article says he isn’t a presenter
What is a self-made presenter? How different is he from an “unselfmade” presenter?
A self made presenter(or self made anything) should be celebrated not smirked upon. When Dr Christian Barnard performed the world’s first heart transplant a selfmade surgeon Hamilton Naki was as responsible for the success of the sensational operation.
An expert stitcher Saki operated on the accident victim.
But being black in apartheid south africa his surgical skills had to be hidden. He was later conferred with an honorary Masters degree in surgery this century.
Why should nt Mutubila be similarly acknowledged?
Who does’t know Frank Mutubila? Who knows ati ba ndani? Ba Ruwe? Ba kuti? Ati bachita chani?
Mwalitumpa ba Lusaka times my comment is still awaiting moderation from March 5th
In fact in America everyone is a journalist Kekekeke. But seriously the whole US citizenship wants a claim of freedom of speech.
That’s how liberated they are.
The Shaiba or cyber laws you have in bantu homeland Zambia wouldn’t survive a day in the US
That field tuwe chap is just a prick , he has 3 fake accounts here purporting to be Katwishi, Educated Man and Worried Man yet he calls anonymous a coward hiding when he himself is always hiding in nom de plumes when commenting on his articles
I would argue many people in the early days post-independence achieved incredible career success without any formal qualifications. An example would be veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga, formal education wasn’t much when he started but he just picked up and absorbed knowledge through exposure and experience.
And on the other hand, having qualifications one can still be a terrible failure in the practical world. Qualifications are overrated these days; companies are looking for how you use your brain to solve problems practically.
This moron Field Ruwa has been boasting about his Academic achievements for years…i think he has some serious mental issues…….if you’re educated just keep it yourself…..and stop looking down on people who are not educated chule iwe….ask any Zambian they will tell you who Frank Mutubila is…ask any Zambian about Field Ruwe….no clue
If indeed the intent was to speak about the distinction between the various layers in the media trade then it would have gone well…but to single out a man call him names ie phoney english accent etc…is gutter writing really. Anyway if I too were but a form 5 failure aka unable to enter unza and I am reduced to cracking dry jokes or indeed playing second field to renowned musicians and then boom am able to go abroad because of the wifey were after doing odd jobs I get a degree maybe just maybe I would be tempted to shout ‘see me now!/
Kikikikikiki We should nt forget they were workmates so it could be peer envy
There’s more to this story than what meets the eye. Field Ruwe must have been mistreated at one point or the other by Frank or his other workmates when he worked for ZNBC. Trying to educate uncouth folks like me on the difference between a Media broadcaster and a presenter would be a good idea if was done in good faith. Lets be honest, Ruwe is pissed at Frank and he is using the technical difference between a broadcaster and presenter to “take him down”. Who cares about the assigned job titles? Not all so called educated broadcasters are good at what they do because they have degrees.
I think Mutubila is about to launch the Frankly Democratic Party and Ruwe will launch the Entire Political Field party.
And this August…..this August imwe
HH, Kalaba, Lubinda, Mundubile, Makebi will all be reduced to Spectators!
Ba LT my partner in Europe has posted plenty of responses and you havent published. Why?
What is Ruwe saying about the response from the audience on fesbook?
What prompted this article? Is Mutubila standing in forthcoming elections?
I’m still scratching my head what the purpose of Ruwe’s is…….. l read the whole thing but can’t find the reason….
All l can say is petty professional jealousy!
Broadcasting is like that. A few notorious voices steal the limelight. Here in Zambia, these include: Mario Mario, Kuluneta, Charles Mando. Notable female voices include Emeldah Yumbe and Gorette Mapulanga. Media history would be incomplete without Frank Mutubila
Are all these alive?
The jealousy of this guy Filled or Field is toxic