The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has summoned five broadcasting stations for compliance hearings following findings from its monitoring and regulatory assessment of media coverage of the 2026 General Election.
The hearings are scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the IBA offices in Lusaka, where the affected broadcasters will be given an opportunity to respond to concerns raised by the Authority before any further action is determined.
According to the IBA, the assessment was conducted in accordance with Section 5(2)(h) of the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act of 2002, the 2026 IBA Election Coverage Guidelines issued in May 2026, and other applicable broadcasting standards.
The Authority said its monitoring identified several instances of alleged non-compliance during the election coverage period.
Among the concerns raised are the broadcasting of unsubstantiated allegations, dissemination of unverified or potentially misleading information, hate speech and tribal content, as well as what the Authority described as inadequate editorial challenge of allegations and claims made by guests and members of the public.
The IBA said the compliance hearings are intended to give the affected stations an opportunity to respond to the findings.
The broadcasters will therefore be able to present their explanations and responses before the Authority determines the appropriate course of action based on its assessment and the applicable regulatory framework.
The development comes as broadcasting stations continue to play an important role in informing the public during Zambia’s electoral processes, with radio and television remaining major sources of information for millions of citizens.
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Election coverage can, however, present significant challenges for broadcasters, particularly when dealing with political allegations, claims made by candidates and supporters, unverified information and highly sensitive issues involving ethnicity and political tensions.
The IBA has previously emphasised the importance of broadcasters maintaining professional and responsible standards when reporting on matters of public interest.
In its latest statement, the Authority reaffirmed that its regulatory role is aimed at promoting responsible broadcasting while also respecting media freedom and the right to freedom of expression.
The IBA said these principles would be upheld in accordance with the law and applicable broadcasting standards.
The compliance hearings on September 16 will therefore provide an opportunity for the affected stations to respond directly to the Authority’s findings.
The IBA has not, at this stage, announced what sanctions or other measures may follow the hearings, stressing that the stations will first be given an opportunity to respond before the appropriate course of action is determined.
The statement was signed by IBA Director General Webster Malido.
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