The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has called five broadcasting stations to compliance hearings after identifying concerns with their coverage of Zambia’s 2026 General Election. The hearings follow a monitoring and regulatory assessment conducted by the Authority to determine whether broadcasters complied with the standards governing election coverage. The assessment forms part of the IBA’s responsibility to oversee broadcasting practices and ensure that stations operate within the requirements of the law. The findings have raised concerns about the way certain allegations, information and political content were presented to audiences during the election period. The affected stations will now have an opportunity to respond before the IBA decides what further action, if any, should be taken.
The IBA said the assessment was conducted pursuant to Section 5(2)(h) of the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act of 2002. It was also carried out in accordance with the 2026 IBA Election Coverage Guidelines issued in May 2026, together with other applicable broadcasting standards. These requirements are intended to guide broadcasters on how they should handle election-related content while balancing the public’s right to information with the need for accurate and responsible journalism. Election coverage carries particular importance because millions of citizens rely on broadcasters for information about candidates, political parties, campaign activities and issues affecting the country. Broadcasters therefore have a responsibility to ensure that the information they place before the public meets professional and regulatory standards.
Among the concerns identified by the Authority was the broadcasting of unsubstantiated allegations. Election periods often generate strong claims about political parties, candidates, government officials and members of the public, but broadcasters have a responsibility to distinguish allegations from verified facts. When serious claims are aired without sufficient evidence or context, audiences may struggle to determine whether the information is credible. This can affect public understanding and potentially influence perceptions of individuals or organisations involved in the election. The IBA’s findings therefore highlight the importance of verification and responsible editorial judgment when dealing with potentially damaging claims.
The Authority also identified instances involving unverified or potentially misleading information. During an election, inaccurate information can spread quickly, particularly when political debates and public discussions are taking place across multiple broadcasting platforms. Broadcasters have an important role in checking information before presenting it to large audiences, especially when the information could affect public confidence in candidates, institutions or the electoral process. The IBA’s concerns suggest that some stations may not have met the required standards when handling information presented during election programming. The compliance hearings will give the affected stations an opportunity to explain how their editorial decisions were made and what processes were followed before the material was broadcast.
Another serious concern raised by the IBA involves hate speech and tribal content. Election campaigns can create heightened political tensions, making responsible broadcasting particularly important for maintaining social cohesion. Content that targets people based on their tribal identity or promotes hostility can have consequences beyond political disagreement because it can deepen divisions within communities. Broadcasters therefore need to exercise care when allowing guests, callers and members of the public to express views on air. The regulator’s action demonstrates that election coverage must not become a platform for content that could undermine peaceful coexistence or encourage discrimination and hostility.
The IBA also raised concerns about inadequate editorial challenge of allegations and claims made by guests and members of the public. Broadcasters often provide platforms for politicians, analysts, community members and other guests to discuss important issues, but providing a platform does not remove the need for editorial oversight. Presenters and journalists may need to question claims, seek clarification or provide context when statements are disputed or appear unsupported. Without adequate challenge, audiences may interpret claims made during live or recorded programmes as established facts. The findings therefore underline the importance of active editorial responsibility, particularly when broadcasters are dealing with politically sensitive material.
The five affected stations have been called to compliance hearings scheduled for Wednesday, 16 September 2026, at the IBA. The hearings are expected to give each station an opportunity to respond to the findings made during the Authority’s monitoring and assessment process. This stage is important because the stations will be able to provide explanations, clarify the circumstances surrounding the broadcasts and respond to the specific concerns raised by the regulator. The IBA will consider the responses before determining the appropriate course of action. Being called to a compliance hearing does not in itself mean that a final sanction has already been imposed.
The hearings also reinforce the role of regulatory oversight in the broadcasting sector, particularly during major national events such as elections. Broadcasters have a significant influence on public discourse because their programmes can reach large audiences across the country. With that influence comes a responsibility to provide information that is accurate, fair and consistent with applicable standards. At the same time, regulatory action must operate within the legal framework protecting media freedom and freedom of expression. The IBA has emphasised that its regulatory role is intended to promote responsible broadcasting while respecting these fundamental principles.
The Authority’s position reflects the challenge of balancing freedom of expression with the responsibility to prevent harmful or misleading broadcasting. Media freedom allows journalists, broadcasters, guests and members of the public to participate in public debate and express different views on matters of national importance. However, freedom of expression does not remove the professional and legal responsibilities that broadcasters must follow when disseminating information. Election coverage requires particular care because inaccurate information, unsupported allegations or divisive content can have a direct impact on public discourse. Effective regulation therefore requires both respect for fundamental freedoms and firm attention to broadcasting standards.
The compliance hearings will now become an important next step in determining how the IBA responds to the findings from its 2026 election coverage assessment. The affected broadcasters will have an opportunity to explain their conduct and address the concerns raised by the Authority. The process will also provide an opportunity to reinforce the standards expected from broadcasters when covering elections and other sensitive national events. For audiences, the issue highlights the importance of reliable information and responsible journalism during periods when public debate is particularly intense. The IBA’s decision after considering the stations’ responses will show how the regulator intends to uphold broadcasting standards while protecting the principles of media freedom and freedom of expression under the law.