The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has officially issued Election Coverage Guidelines aimed at promoting fair, balanced, accurate, and responsible media coverage ahead of Zambia’s August 2026 General Elections.
In a statement released on May 26, 2026, the IBA said the guidelines are intended to provide practical direction to broadcasters covering elections and election-related matters while strengthening professionalism, fairness, and ethical conduct during the electoral process.
According to the Authority, the new guidelines also seek to provide greater clarity on the responsibilities of broadcasters during the election period and improve compliance with national broadcasting standards.
The Election Coverage Guidelines cover several key areas, including fair and balanced reporting to ensure all political parties and candidates receive equitable and impartial coverage during campaigns.
The guidelines further require broadcasting stations to allocate advertising airtime fairly among political parties and candidates to ensure equal access during the election period.
IBA also outlined rules regarding political interviews and debates, emphasizing professionalism, fairness, and impartiality from broadcasters.
Additionally, media houses have been directed to disclose important information when broadcasting opinion polls, including sponsors, sample sizes, and sources of the surveys.
On polling day, broadcasters will not be allowed to conduct campaign interviews for political parties or independent candidates, while prediction of election results before official confirmation has also been prohibited.
The Authority stressed that election results should only be announced based on verified and officially confirmed information.
IBA has also introduced complaints handling procedures requiring broadcasting stations to respond to election-related complaints within two days, while the Authority itself is expected to conclude investigations within four days and issue directives where necessary.
The guidelines also prohibit broadcasters from airing hate speech, tribalism, incitement to violence, misinformation, and unverified election-related content that could threaten peace, national unity, and the credibility of the electoral process.
According to the IBA, the guidelines apply to all broadcasting stations in Zambia and are aligned with the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016, particularly provisions relating to the duties of the media during elections.
The Authority noted that responsible and professional media coverage plays a critical role in ensuring peaceful and credible elections by providing citizens with accurate and balanced information needed to make informed decisions.
IBA has since warned that it will closely monitor election coverage across all broadcasting stations throughout the electoral period to ensure compliance with the guidelines and existing broadcasting regulations.
The guidelines were approved during the IBA Board’s 45th Board Meeting held on May 20, 2026.
The statement was issued by IBA Director General and Board Secretary Webster Malido.