STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA K5 a move that pleased the Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) which hoped that the increase would enable the public broadcaster improve coverage across a wider subscriber base.3 There was, however, strong objection of the increased TV levy from the Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD)4 The Executive Director of ZCSD, Mr Lewis Mwape in a statement expressed the view, “We have observed that TV levy has not for a long time helped to improve the operations of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), which was the main purpose for its establishment. ZNBC has continued being used to advance the political interests of any given political party in power at the expense of representing the views of the masses. Today ZNBC cannot be referred to as a ‘Public Broadcaster’ as majority members of the public do not benefit from the biased programming of the institution.” Mr Mwape stated that the ZNBC had contributed to divisions and hatred in the country because for a long time it had been noticed that ZNBC did not embrace diversity in its coverage as it had deliberately denied coverage to individuals and organisations with divergent views from those in the ruling party.5 He called on Members of Parliament to repeal Part IV section 25 of the ZNBC (Amendment) Act No. 16 of 2010, which empowered ZNBC to collect TV levy as the law made no attempt to empower the public to hold ZNBC accountable, yet it is a crime for citizens not to pay TV levy. ZCSD also expressed the concern that there was lack of sensitisation on the newly introduced mode of payment through subscription fees as it was not clear if people who were subscribed to more than one signal provider would have to pay TV levy to all. Essentially, although the two Bills were subsequently passed by Parliament there were a number of loose ends that needed urgent attention. As a result of the IBA (Amendment) Bill of 2017 and ZNBC (Amendment) Bill of 2017 it is evident that government has designated the responsibility 3 4 5 ToZ ZACA backs new ZNBC levy 4 October 2017 p.3 The Mast ZCSD urges govt to reverse TV levy hike 9 October 2017 p.2 ibid 8