STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA “We take strong concern at the Independent Broadcasting Authority’s letter demanding for recordings of some itemised news bulletins and ‘Oxgyen of Democracy’ programme. The IBA’s letter comes three days after PF Secretary General Davies Mwila’s letter which was procedurally copied to other media bodies and IBA. Coulibaly asked IBA to withdraw the demand as it was abuse of the law. He further urged Prime Television to consider ethics in addressing the concerns raised by Mwila. “We therefore, call upon IBA through the Authority’s Director General Ms. Josephine Mapoma to withdraw the demand until the two parties, PF and Prime TV, fail to reach consensus because anything contrary now amounts to abuse of the Act in a bid to gag the media, which is inimical to our democratic dispensation which calls for a free media space,” stated Coulibaly. The impasse between the two parties led to IBA suspending the broadcasting license for Prime Television for 30 days. Though the grounds for suspension were noted as unprofessionalism by Prime TV in its reporting. On 4th March 2019, QFM reported that: “Ms Mapoma says the Board found that Prime TV has exhibited unprofessional elements in its broadcasting through unbalanced coverage, opinionated news, material likely to incite violence and use of derogatory language. She says the station was not only in breach of the IBA Act, but also of their own guidelines that among others include duty to remain balanced, Fair and impartial in their coverage, strive to give equal coverage access by not discriminating against any political party before, during and after elections. Ms Mapoma says during the suspension period, Prime TV is expected to conduct in-house training on basic journalism ethics and news script writing” During the same media briefing, the IBA Director General also announced that the authority had also suspended Valley FM’s broadcasting licence for 60 days. Ms. Mapoma stated that both Prime TV and Valley FM were given an opportunity to be heard and that their suspensions were pursuant 21