The current regulation framework does not clearly provide for regulation of such broadcasts
save certain aspects under other related laws such as the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act,
among other statutes enforced by ZICTA. This quandary presented itself when the IBA
attempted to exert its power over online broadcaster by the name of Spring Television in
August, 2020 20.
Fourth, there is a need to provide for autonomy of the Authority by shifting oversight of the
Institution to Parliament. In the current regime, the Minister of Information still wields
considerable control (direct or indirect) over the Authority through appointment of Board
members 21 among other executive/administrative functions such as processing of funding.
Given the sensitive nature of the Authority’s mandate, it is critical that the Institution exists
and operates autonomously with parliamentary oversight.
Other amendments include the relaxation of extremely punitive sanctions as noted in some
cases such as those involving Muvi Television, Komboni and Itezhi Tezhi Radio (2016) 22 and
Prime Television (2020) 23.

See https://diggers.news/local/2020/08/08/iba-says-it-has-powers-to-regulate-onlinebroadcasting/#:~:text=Spring%20TV%2C%20like%20any%20other,as%20amended%20by%20Act%20No.
21
During the quarter under review, for example, Minister of Information and Media dissolved the IBA Board in
exercise of powers vested in her by the IBA Act. See https://diggers.news/local/2021/11/01/kasandadissolves-iba-znbc-boards/
22
See https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/08/22/iba-shuts-muvi-tv-komboni-radio-itezhi-tezhi-radio/
23
See https://zambianeye.com/the-government-has-closed-prime-tv/. A full analysis of the case vis-à-vis
provisions of the IBA Act was carried in the2020 first and second quarter State of the Media Report.
20

23

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