SECTOR 3

It was noted that advertisers and commercial sponsors do not interfere with
editorial policy at the broadcaster.
Whatever funding the ZNBC collectively receives remains insufficient to ensure
quality programming.

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:

1.7
(2011:2.3; 2009:1.3; 2007:n/a; 2005:n/a)

3.7 The state/public broadcaster offers diverse programming formats for all interests including local content and quality public interest programmes.
The ZNBC offers a variety of programmes for various interests. In terms of news
content, however, the public broadcaster is not objective, and provides too rosy
a picture of what is happening. “If you want to hear balanced or more detailed
news, then switch over [to one of the private stations].” However, the ZNBC’s
news content has improved and become more balanced and the broadcaster is
working hard to meet minimum standards.
The ratio of local content to international content on ZNBCs television channels
are noted below:
TV1 – 60:40, and TV2 – 70:30.
A local production called Ulendo is produced by the ZNBC, and is “a local drama
with local artists, that depicts village life in various languages”.
ZNBC’s TV2 “presents more diverse programmes, which are more creative, with
local content”, and the quality of this station is superior to that of TV1. TV1 and
TV2 are different stations that were set up for different reasons, and to cater
to different audiences. TV2 is “a 24-hour entertainment channel with a news
segment”, it was established for commercial reasons to generate revenue for the

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2013

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