STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has warned broadcast stations in the country against relying on social media stories to aid bullying and hate among the people. IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma said that some social media stories can compromise the unity and security of the nation. Ms. Mapoma said that the Authority has observed with concern the growing tendency and excitement by some broadcast stations to rely on unverified social media stories, adding that IBA expects Broadcasting Stations to be professional and avoid deliberate moves aimed at ignoring conditions for which their licences were issued. The IBA Director-General said that the authority has also noted the high levels of laissez-faire attitude among some broadcasters, leading to more Phone-in programs that are heavily dependent on issues from social media. Ms. Mapoma has reminded broadcasting stations that they have a duty to abide by the IBA Act and other broadcasting regulations. While it is true that media houses have the duty to verify information and ensure information they report (even from social media) is in keeping with journalism ethics, there is also need to accept the influence that new media technologies, particularly social networking, have on the practice of journalism in the modern age. It is even more critical because media houses have their respective editorial polices and guidelines which help them determine the parameters of sources and information to use in the production of their news content. It is, therefore, important for regulatory bodies like the IBA to tread carefully and instead encourage media houses to incorporate new social networking technologies in their broadcasting especially in view of the growing population accessing information through social networking sites. Additionally, adequate legal provisions already exist to regulate the use of such platforms, even for pg. 38