SECTOR 2

Government is in the process of erecting new transmitters to improve the state
broadcaster’s signal coverage. Terrestrially, ZNBC radio theoretically covers the
whole country, although there are some far-flung border areas which do not pick
up their own country’s signal, but that of neighbouring countries. ZNBC radio
theoretically covers all 72 districts, while ZNBC TV reaches 65 of the country’s
73 districts. ZNBC TV is also available on the DSTV bouquet for those who
can afford the satellite dish, decoder and monthly subscription fees. It costs at
least 300,000 Zambian Kwacha (US$60) for the full DSTV bouquet, and at least
150,000 Kwacha (US$30) as it depends on the obtaining Kwacha/US$ exchange
rate for a smaller bouquet of channels, both of which include ZNBC.
Mobile phones and Internet
Mobile phone usage in Zambia is relatively high, with an estimated 4.3 million
Zambians having access to one.7
“In rural areas, people will climb a tree or a go up a hill to get a signal.”
Smartphones, especially Blackberries, are gaining popularity in the country, and
many people are able to access the Internet in this way.
Internet usage is still relatively expensive in Zambia, at K100 per minute in an
urban Internet café and K250 in rural areas.
The three daily newspapers, the Zambia Daily Mail, the Times of Zambia and
The Post, are all available online, while the online publications, the Watchdog and
Lusaka Online, are other popular news sources.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator.

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score:

3.1 (2005 = 2.6; 2007 = 3.0; 2009 = 2.3)

7 See ZICTA ICT statistics for period ending March 2010 at http://www.caz.zm/index.php/ictinformation/22-er/92-ict-statistics-for-the-period-ending-march-.html (accessed 11 August 2011)

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2011

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Select target paragraph3