Zambian journalists marching as they commemorated World Press Freedom Day 2023 In addition, the IBA wrote to Hot FM to express concern about a discussion programme featuring a former University of Zambia lecturer Sishuwa Sishuwa. In another case of media freedom violations, the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), summoned KBN Television management for implementing an idea of featuring presidential hopefuls from different political parties on a programme called the “Presidential News Desk”. IBA said the authority was concerned about Sishuwa’s assertions that “there is a growing public perception that President Hichilema appears to see himself primarily as leader of Zambia’s one half of the country, mainly where the UPND has been doing well electorally”. (12) (10) During the programme, presidential hopefuls took turns to anchor the Friday news editions. KBN Television was accused of having breached the Standard Operation Procedure clause 5.2.1.3 for allowing politicians to anchor news on the TV station. In a positive development, the government announced Statutory Instrument No. 67 of 2023, where it zero rated customs duty of broadcast equipment in the 2024 budget. IBA also issued UNZA Radio with a two days’ ultimatum “to put adequate measures in place to prevent guests from using what it termed as derogatory language on air”. This news was welcomed by various stakeholders, who said the decision would help stations acquire new equipment, which would lead to the improved quality of broadcasting. (13) Before that, the authority also cautioned the radio station against allowing guests to use unpalatable language on air after the guest made some disparaging remarks against the government. (11) This was worrying, as it forces the station to practise self-censorship. STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2023 The policy will be in place until December 31, 2026 and is expected to stimulate technological advancement and innovation within the broadcasting sector, offering newly licensed and existing broadcasting stations an opportunity to 88