IBA Suspends Four Broadcasters After Election Coverage Review

Zambia's broadcasting regulator has stepped up enforcement against broadcasters, suspending four stations for 30 days over unpaid licensing fees and alleged breaches of election coverage standards.

The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Board suspended 3FM Radio in Chipata, Mungu FM Radio in Mongu and Healing TV in Lusaka for failing to pay their 2026 annual operating fees.

The stations' licences have been suspended with immediate effect and will remain suspended until the outstanding fees are settled.

But the more significant action involves KBN TV, whose licence has also been suspended for 30 days over what the IBA says were breaches of the 2026 Election Coverage Guidelines and other broadcasting standards.

According to the regulator, KBN TV was found to have failed to conduct some discussions in a balanced, fair, accurate and objective manner, while also airing unsubstantiated and unverified claims.

The IBA further cited inadequate presentation of alternative viewpoints, failure to provide a right of reply and ineffective moderation that allowed inappropriate language by a guest to be broadcast.

The regulator said KBN TV had appeared before the Board four times and had received six written cautions between 2023 and 2026 over similar breaches.

As part of the suspension, KBN TV has been directed to undertake internal training for its staff on programme moderation and ethical broadcasting.

The station has also been instructed to review and strengthen its editorial policies, particularly on acceptable broadcast language and on-air etiquette.

KBN TV may appeal the decision to the Minister of Information and Media within 30 days, in accordance with Section 31 of the IBA (Amendment) Act No. 26 of 2010.

A wider crackdown on election coverage

The action against KBN TV is part of a wider regulatory assessment of broadcasting during the 2026 General Election.

The IBA said 17 stations were cited for alleged breaches of its election coverage guidelines. Five stations were considered to have committed severe breaches and were called for compliance hearings, while 12 were classified as having minor infringements.

The regulator has now cautioned 16 stations and directed them to take corrective measures.

The breaches identified across the stations included inadequate verification of serious allegations, weak programme moderation, failure to provide sufficient balance and context, inaccurate or misleading content, hate speech and tribalism, failure to provide a right of reply, and the broadcasting of unsubstantiated claims.

The IBA's election guidelines require broadcasters to provide accurate, balanced and fair election information. The Authority says the guidelines are intended to help voters access reliable information and reduce misinformation, hate speech, tribalism and incitement during the electoral process.

The IBA had earlier summoned five stations for compliance hearings after its election monitoring exercise identified allegations involving unverified information, unsubstantiated claims, hate speech, tribal content and inadequate editorial challenge.

Where regulation meets press freedom

The latest suspensions put renewed attention on the responsibilities that come with a broadcasting licence.

The IBA says it recognises freedom of expression as a fundamental constitutional right, but maintains that broadcasters must also comply with licensing conditions and professional broadcasting standards.

The Authority's enforcement guidelines provide for broadcasters to be notified of compliance concerns and given an opportunity to be heard before suspension or cancellation proceedings.

The regulator's licensing mandate includes granting, renewing, suspending and cancelling broadcasting licences, as well as setting standards and monitoring compliance.

The IBA says it will continue working with broadcasters to improve compliance while taking regulatory action where breaches are established.