STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA, 3RD QUARTER RESEARCH FINDINGS

STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA For the Third Quarter (July – September) 2016 1 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA MISA ZAMBIA © 2016, Published by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter. Contact: The National Director, MISA Zambia, Plot 3814, Martin Mwamba Road, Olympia Park, Lusaka-Zambia. P.O Box 32295 Tel: +260 211 294285/6 EWNS Hotline: +260 979 580451 Email: [email protected] www.misazambia.org Researched and Compiled by Youngson Ndawana (MMC, BMC) [email protected] Additional Input Kamufisa Manchishi (Information & Research Officer) [email protected] [email protected] MISA ZAMBIA 2 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms............................................................................................................ 4 2.0. Executive summary of State of the Media in Zambia-third Quarter 2016 ................................ 5 1.0 Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 7 3.0 Findings ....................................................................................................................................... 8 3.1. Media Environment in the third quarter, 2016 ..................................................................... 8 3.2. Economic and Technological environment in the third quarter, 2016 ............................... 13 3.3 Political and Legal environment in the third quarter, 2016 ................................................. 14 3.3.1 ATI law progress ............................................................................................................. 19 3.4 Freedom of expression during the third quarter, 2016 ........................................................ 20 4.0. Broadcast Media in the third quarter, 2016 ............................................................................ 21 5.0 Online Media in the third quarter, 2016 .................................................................................. 22 6.0 Media alerts and communiques in the third quarter, 2016 ..................................................... 24 7.0 Conclusion................................................................................................................................. 27 8.0 Recommendations .................................................................................................................... 28 9.0 Appendices .............................................................................................................................. 30 Broadcast Media houses as at 7th July 2016 ............................................................................... 30 Licenced Radio Stations........................................................................................................... 30 Other Television Station on Construction ............................................................................... 36 State of the media Interview guide for media houses/personnel.............................................. 37 State of the media Interview guide for media regulators .......................................................... 38 3 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA ADD Alliance for Democracy and Development ATI Access to Information CIO Criminal Investigations Officer DC District Commissioner DPP Director of Public Prosecutions DTT Digital Terrestrial Television ECZ Electoral Commission of Zambia IBA Independent Broadcasting Authority IDI In-depth Interview MISA Media Institute of Southern Africa MMD Movement for Multi-Party Democracy MP Member of Parliament PAZA Press Association of Zambia PF Patriotic Front SACCORD Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes UPND United Party for National Development ZICTA Zambia Information, Communication and Technology Authority ZNBC Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation ZRA Zambia Revenue Authority 4 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA The State of the Media Report is a quarterly assessment of the media environment in Zambia. This edition of the report covers the third quarter of 2016. The report describes the conditions under which the media fraternity and journalists operated during the period under review. The report was prepared for the Zambian Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa – (MISA Zambia). The report includes an assessment of the political, legal, economic, technological as well as other salient situational issues that have a bearing on the media across the country. In the final part, the report compiles cases of media violations, communiques affecting either media institutions or individual journalists practicing in Zambia. Included in the current report are a number of interesting incidences that continue to add new developments, twists and intrigues to the media environment in Zambia, constituting significant developments during the third quarter. Without a doubt, the third quarter comes off as arguably the most turbulent period in the history of the media in Zambia in terms of state interference and outright violations against the media’s independence and freedom to conduct itself in a safe and conducive environment. This is due to the unprecedented heavy handedness by the state that resulted in the suspension of licences at once for three broadcast stations by the Independent Broadcasting Authority, IBA. The targeted stations are MUVI Television Limited Company, Komboni Radio of Lusaka District in Lusaka Province as well as Itezhi-tezhi Community Radio Station of Itezhi-tezhi District in Central Province. This action was against the backdrop of the raid against the Post Newspaper by the Zambia Revenue Authority for alleged Tax non-compliance by the firm which has caused the newspaper to face serious operational challenges for close to three months now since 22 nd June when ZRA closed their premises. The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) suspended the broadcasting licenses for Muvi TV, Komboni Radio and Itezhi Tezhi Radio respectively on 22nd August 2016 for what it termed as "unprofessional conduct posing a risk to national peace and stability". The IBA cited section 29 (1)(j) of the IBA amendment act of 2010 which cites that "the IBA board may cancel a broadcasting license if the cancellation of the license is necessary in the interest of public safety, security, peace, welfare or good order". MUVI Television is one of Zambia's few independent media outlets that carry dissenting views and critical opinions. 5 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA In the third quarter, Zambia held one of the most highly anticipated and fiercely contested general elections in recent times, in which scrutiny of the performance and conduct of the media was expected to be at its highest. The general evidence showed that the trends of polarisation were at their worst in the weeks and days towards and after the 11th August 2016 poll as portrayed in the content carried by various media. This was more so especially when it came to the coverage and reporting on various political entities in the country. Further, the continued slump in the economy affected the media and particularly the broadcasting media largely because most of the broadcast equipment is imported and a weaker kwacha meant that radio and TV stations had to pay more while advertisers also had to make downward adjustments. The quarter also witnessed continued high levels of political intolerance towards media freedom and freedom of expression. This trend of political intolerance and state interference in media operations has continued to raise dust among stakeholders such as the diplomatic community and civil society organisations who have noted these measure by the authorities are neither desirable nor welcome in a democratic state such as Zambia as she strides towards a more ideal democratic state. Freedom of expression and of the media has become even more elusive in the quarter under review as evidence shows from the various media reports analysed as well as from interviews with industry players. On a positive note however, the duty waiver for the next two years on imports of broadcasting equipment has continued to cushion the negative economic trends recorded so far. This has continued to be a stabilising factor for the sector in the short term and promote growth over the long term in view of the digital migration process. 6 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA The research for the Third Quarter, 2016, State of the Media Report used a number of scientific methods that include content analysis and in-depth interviews. This was to help triangulate the data so as to render the findings sound and credible. The data was sampled using the purposive random sampling method. This ensured that there was no bias or skewedness in the data and consequently the research findings. The content analysis method was used to identify common themes and elements that constituted the composition of media content during the quarter. This helped to create a picture that shows how the media performed in terms of the focus and diversity of their content. Further, the data gathered as such gave insights on the various media-related issues that occurred and either directly or indirectly impacted on the media, journalists and their smooth undertaking of their journalistic duties. The in-depth interviews, IDIs on the other hand was used to get the perceptions from the media fraternity and a select number of individual practitioners. This involved the use of in-depth interview guides that augmented the findings so as to give the report a richer understanding of the dynamics affecting the media during the review period. The following were interviewed as part of the survey to gather more in-depth information; ZNBC, Times of Zambia, The Post Newspaper, Breeze FM, Q FM, IBA, Yar FM, Flava FM and Radio Ichengelo. One limitation of the study was that the response rate was very low for the IDI as only 10 out of the expected 20 respondents turned in feedback several invitations and ample time to tender information as part of the survey. 7 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 3.0 Findings 3.1. Media Environment during the third quarter 2016 The third quarter without a doubt, comes off as arguably the most turbulent period in the history of the media in Zambia in terms of state intervention and outright violations against the media’s independence and freedom to conduct itself in a safe and conducive environment. This is due to the unprecedented heavy handedness by the state that resulted in the suspension of licences at once for three broadcast stations by the Independent Broadcasting Authority, IBA. The affected stations were MUVI Television Limited Company, Komboni Radio of Lusaka District in Lusaka Province as well as Itezhi tezhi Community Radio Station of Itezhi tezhi District in Central Province. This action was against the backdrop of the raid against the Post Newspaper by the Zambia Revenue Authority for alleged Tax non-compliance by the firm which has rendered the newspaper non-operational for close to three months now. It almost seems as if the trend of heavy state interference had been set in motion and was continued by the government. The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) suspended the broadcasting licenses for Muvi TV, Komboni Radio and Itezhi Tezhi Radio respectively on 22nd August 2016 for what it termed as "unprofessional conduct posing a risk to national peace and stability". The IBA cited section 29 (1)(j) of the IBA amendment act of 2010 which cites that "the IBA board may cancel a broadcasting license if the cancellation of the license is necessary in the interest of public safety, security, peace, welfare or good order".1 According to the press statement, IBA Board Chairman Brigadier General Mutale alleged that the IBA observed that before, during and after the elections the three media institutions conducted themselves in an unprofessional manner contrary to provisions of the IBA Act. The Chairman further warned other broadcasting houses that it would not hesitate to take decisive action against any of them found to be unprofessional in their conduct.2 Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu told journalists in New York where he had gone to attend the UN meetings that the suspension of the license was done in the best interest of the nation. The 1 IBA Press Statement of 22nd August on the suspension of broadcast licenses of MUVI TV, Komboni Radio Station and Itezhi tezhi Community Radio Station 2 IBA Press Statement, 22nd August 2016 8 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA President alleged that the television station was inciting hate speech even after the elections had passed.3 MUVI Television is one of Zambia's few independent media outlets that carry dissenting views and critical opinions. This move is unprecedented since Zambia’s return to multiparty democracy governance system. Most observers contended that it was an action aimed at silencing the media. MUVI TV has been one of the few independent media institutions with a significant portion of its current affairs content focusing on the community as well as offering a platform to the opposition to reach out to the masses, much to the chagrin of the ruling Patriotic Front. These actions by the state, shrouded under the disguise of the law do not auger well for a nation that is still growing its democracy. Whether the actions are justified or not, there are all the reasons to misconstrue these actions for suppression of the freedom of the press in the nation. The nation has barely started to enjoy a liberal media presence and such actions reverse these gains over the years to put Zambia in a not so good position regarding the respect and promotion of press freedom. As expected stakeholders condemned the action by the IBA as uncalled for and illegal as all options to resolve the impasse as provided for in the IBA Act had not been exhausted. Among these was the Press Association of Zambia which charged that the action to suspend the broadcast licences was not illegal but premature. PAZA president Andrew Sakala wondered why the IBA never demanded to hear the affected institutions before taking such a drastic move. “The suspension of the broadcasting licences for the three stations for the three stations is premature and illegal because the IBA board breached the Act by not giving them an opportunity to defend themselves. Under the IBA Act of 2010, it is mandatory for the board to give the broadcasting station an opportunity to defend itself before a licence can be suspended….But under the same section 27 (7), the Act is explicit and demands that before a licence is cancelled, it must be given chance to be heard”4 Meanwhile, PANOS Institute of Southern Africa said they were deeply concerned with the suspension of the broadcasting licences of the three private media houses. Panos Institute Executive Director Lilian Kiefer observed that such actions have the potential to lead to impunity and rebellious reactions from the media that may fuel clandestine broadcasting and unethical journalism. She further observed that the free flow of information puts to shame propagandists 3 Zambia Daily Mail, 19th September 2016 4 PAZA president Andrew Sakala, as reported in The Post, 24 th August 2016 9 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA and other one-sided communicators who thrive on media blackouts and limited information channels. She advised that instead of taking such drastic action, the IBA should have engaged the affected media houses and help them address the imbalances and other issues.5 She further warned that during a sensitive time such as the one just after a highly emotive election phase, citizens needed unfettered access to professionally packaged and balanced news and information on issues of concern through their preferred media platforms. A liberal media landscape with plural and diverse media such as the one that was obtaining in Zambia provided such an opportunity for diversity in information and sources of information for the citizenry. In this regard, it is prudent and only appropriate that any government’s discomfort and fear should never override the public’s freedom of expression and right of access to information. A diverse, plural and independent media allows for citizens to fully realise the benefits of such rights and legal provisions. This further crowds out propagandists who thrive largely on media blackouts and limited information channels. MISA Zambia and the Media Liaison Committee also added its voice to the fiasco and called for the immediate lifting of the suspensions and immediate reinstatement of the licenses. In a joint statement issued by Hellen Mwale, Chairperson MISA Zambia and Enock Ngoma, ChairpersonMedia Liaison Committee on the 23rd August 2016, the two expressed disappointment over the action. “We are disappointed with the decision of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to suspend licenses for Muvi TV, Komboni and Itezhi Tezhi Radio citing professional misconduct and threats to national security. It is our view that the said suspension of licenses for the three stations is extreme and has a negative effect on the flow of information as well as a chilling effect on the practice of journalism as it amounts to arbitrary censorship of dissenting views.”6 It is worrying that there seems to be a trend in which private media houses seen to carry dissenting views have been targeted and persecuted using various laws and processes as was the case with the closure of the Post Newspaper and now with Muvi TV, Komboni Radio and Radio Itezhi Tezhi.” The two bodies further called on all media houses and practitioners to stand united and defend the freedom of the media against the oppression observed while calling upon them to exercise maximum professionalism and remain steadfast in safeguarding the public interest. 5 PANOS E.D Lilian Kiefer, as reported in The Post, 24 th August 2016 6 Joint MISA and MLC Press Statement, 23rd August 2016 10 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Despite several stakeholders expressing shock and pointing accusing fingers at the government as the ultimate culprit in the clamping down on press freedoms, IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma maintained that the action by the IBA had nothing to do with any government interference but enforcement of the law. She said the action is strictly on the conduct of the three broadcasting stations, which was allegedly not in conformity with the terms of their licences. Further to the closure of MUVI Television Station, police on 23rd August 2016 arrested and detained four MUVI TV employees for alleged criminal trespass in their closed premises. The four, John Nyendwa, Mubanga Katyeka, Musakanya and another had reported for work in the early hours when police picked them up on account that they illegally entered and accessed restricted premises. The four were detained at Lusaka Central Police. In terms of performance and conduct of the media, the levels of polarisation were at the worst going by the content carried by various media especially as it pertains to the coverage and reporting on the various political parties in the run-up to the general elections slated for August 2016 and immediately after. This is also according to empirical evidence in the MISA Zambia media monitoring report released after the elections7. According to the report, “…the PF was given undue coverage across all public media as nearly half of the coverage was dedicated to it. UPND received less than 30% of the coverage across all public media outlets with ZNBC TV1 and ZNBC Radio 2 allocating the least coverage to it.” Of note here was how ZNBC continued to come in for sharp criticism from several quarters, especially the opposition political parties, due to its overly favourable coverage of the ruling party in the news. Stakeholders questioned the role of the IBA if it could not reign in on open abuse of the airwaves by various broadcasters despite IBA having issued directives that the media should remain impartial as the country headed towards the elections. The IBA Board Chairman had earlier in the year appealed to radio and television stations to be impartial in their coverage of political parties before, during and after the August 11 general election. Such pronouncements, if accompanied by proactive actions to correct the situation are desirable, and could go a long way in remedying the current status of media polarisation. Therefore, IBA must seek to be given legislated powers to regulate ZNBC as one of the major players in the broadcast industry in order to level the playing field for all industry players. There must be only one law to apply to all institutions regardless of ownership or otherwise. This will be a fairer way of regulating the sector. 7 2016 MISA Zambia Media Monitoring Report phase 3-Campaign period 11 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA In summary, the third quarter, was largely reminiscent of previous ones with a number of challenges for free media and questions about the adherence to ethical standards of practice. Such threats and moves that undermine the independence and pluralism of the media have continued to gather momentum and the sooner this is realised and curbed the better for the media fraternity. It is a trend that has got stakeholders worried and greatly concerned that despite there being laws that govern the land and those that protect individuals from being abused in the media, government takes every perceived lapse on the part of the media as an opportunity to harass, intimidate or issue threats that continue to undermine press freedom. The legal gaps that exist are always being exploited by the government to continually cast a murk over the freedoms that the media should ideally be enjoying. This is the more reason the media fraternity and other stakeholder have persistently called for the enactment of the Access to Information law so that information on various public issues can easily be accessed as opposed to media having to use unorthodox means to obtain such. The quarter was not devoid of journalists being harassed physically and otherwise, especially by political party cadres and state agents in journalists’ line of duty. New Vision Newspaper's reporter Elijah Mumba was attacked by UPND cadre in Chainda on 3rd August 2016 as he went about gathering news. The cadre reportedly confronted Elijah Mumba, a New Vision newspaper reporter at whom he hurled insults and physically attacked with a brick leading to a deep wound on Mumba's head which later received 16 stitches. According to information gathered, Mumba was only rescued by onlookers after he passed out and the matter was later reported to the Police in Chainda.8 In the wake of this incident, MISA observed a reluctance by the Zambia Police Service to fully take charge of the situation to bring the perpetrators to book. In this regard, MISA issued a statement to express worry over police slackness. “It is disheartening that Police clearly showed lack of will to act despite the dire condition in which Elijah was, bleeding profusely after being hit with a brick on the head forcing onlookers to come to his rescue.” MISA Chairperson Hellen Mwale said in the statement. The Chainda incident adds to the long list of brutal attacks against journalists in their line of duty where Police have acted reluctantly to effect arrests or effectively process such reports. It is a trend that has been growing over the years of either Police committing aggression towards journalists or being passive when it comes to the defence of journalists from wanton attacks by members of the public. This trend if not curbed soon continues to undermine the confidence levels among journalists to competently conduct their work. MISA therefore called upon to act as allies of the media ads both their work is to serve the citizens of the nation. It 8 MISA media alert, 3rd August 2016 12 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA is therefore prudent for the Zambia Police Service to act in a professional manner and defend the rights and freedoms of the journalists as expected and not play complicity with the aggressors and enemies of the profession. In reaction to the strong worded statement issued by MISA, Police later summoned the Chairperson and interrogated her over the same. Clearly, these are perilous times for the journalism profession and its advocates in Zambia. The economic and technological environment for the media sector was somewhat a continuation of the challenges witnessed in the previous quarters of 2016. There were some positives breaking the trend on the technology curve but largely a negative trend continued on the economic front. One of the major economic challenges that media faced, similar to other sectors in the economy was the depreciation and continued instability of the local currency, the Kwacha against major convertibles such as the United States dollar. The outlook has been made worse by the continued gloomy economic outlook premised on less and less liquidity on the market while the production costs of most media products is projected to continue rising. This has a direct effect on the amount of revenue that most media houses rely on from various business houses through low rates of advertising and other business ventures. From the responses by respondents on this subject, it was apparent that their accounts were badly hit with these developments. According to one respondent, “The economy has dwindled, people are in serious poverty and money is difficult to find. For us in newspaper business, it is even difficult to produce and sell newspapers to people who are barely surviving” 9 Another challenge that media faced was the continued erratic electricity supply that hugely affected the efficient operations of many media houses. This meant most of them had to revert to using alternative sources of energy, popular among them generator sets to keep their operations afloat. To this end, compounded by low revenue levels, most of those interviewed said this pushed up the running costs against their bottom lines. “…the biggest challenge for the media is the continued load shedding, which has resulted in expenses continue going up as more money is being spent to run the diesel generator.” Generally, respondents felt the growth of the media sector was stifled by limited economic growth in the country. Overall, the continued general slump in the economy has continued to affect the media and particularly the broadcasting media largely because all broadcast equipment is imported and a 9 Misheck Wangwe, Post Newspaper, Chief Reporter, Copperbelt Province 13 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA weaker kwacha meant that radio and TV stations had to pay more. The print media has also been affected as newsprint and other equipment are also imported. Advertisers also had to make adjustments downwards. The political and legal landscape was probably the worst in recent history of the media in Zambia and certainly the worst since Zambia’s return to liberal multiparty democracy. Barely had the media and the general citizenry come to terms (if at all they did), with the closure and clamping down of The Post Newspaper (which has remained under seizure and continued to be under state possession by the ZRA action throughout the quarter, making it four months since its closure) than the government through its agents, the IBA moved to further clampdown on three broadcast media houses in the name of MUVI TV, Komboni Radio Station and Itezhi tezhi Community Radio Station on charges that they were propagating hate speech and therefore posed a threat to national peace, order and security. Consequently, Muvi TV and Komboni Radio sued the two regulatory bodies in the Lusaka High Court where they were seeking relief in the form of a court order to compel the IBA and ZICTA reinstate the duo’s operating licences.10 The two media institutions were challenging the decision by the two authorities to suspend their broadcasting licences. The two contended in their application that they would suffer irreparable damage if they remained closed. However, the High court threw out their application on grounds that it was ill-conceived. In delivering his ruling on the matter, High court judge Mwiinde Siavwapa dismissed the appeal noting that it was ill fated. The judge stated that appellants to the High Court could only appeal a minister’s decision as opposed to appealing an IBA board decision as this was procedurally incorrect. He therefore ruled that in the case before him there was no decision by the minister which the appellants might have used to appeal to the High Court. The quarter recorded a significant number of both legal cases and politically charged moves targeted especially at the private media and journalists. 10 Daily Nation, 3rd September 2016 14 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA On 8th July, 2016, The Post Photo Journalist David Kashiki was arrested by Police at the UPND Secretariat as he attempted to take pictures of suspected Police brutality against UPND cadres. Another interesting case is the continued pursuit of the Post Newspaper by state agents to obviously trample on press freedom under the guise of forcing the Newspaper to pay its disputed tax liabilities it owes the Zambia Revenue Authority. After the printing press for the company was seized and shut down by the ZRA, the Post Newspaper sought other means to continue printing its publication. They contracted a local printer Mipal Printers Limited to be printing their daily publication. However, it was not long before state agents through ZRA targeted the printing company for printing The Post. As a result of the raid, Mipal Printers Limited sued the ZRA claiming K900, 000 which was lost when the latter raided and forcibly shut down its premises. In a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, the company alleged that ZRA raided its premises without a search warrant which resulted in loss of business such as printing jobs of campaign posters, T-shirts and other party campaign materials because the period of the shutdown was during the peak of the political campaigns leading up to the 11 August poll. Surely, if these are the levels of lack of regard for the law then there is a strong danger that the state will likely slide into a lack of the rule of law which is vitally important to any democratic dispensation as one of the key pillars. In a related incident, The Post Newspaper journalists Joan Chirwa and Mukosha Funga refused to take plea in the Lusaka Magistrates Court in a matter in which they are jointly charged with 4 th Revolution party president Eric Chanda with defamation of the President. The two refused to take plea on account that the ZRA has closed the newspaper. Their lawyer Nchima Nchito representing the trio submitted that it was difficult for him to advise his clients how they should plead without access to certain documents since the Post Newspaper had been closed by the ZRA. He noted that the state had continually ignored an order granted to The Post Newspaper by the Revenue Appeals Tribunal to have the newspaper’s premises opened. Mr. Nchito told the court that it was in the interest of justice to allow the accused to have access to the documents that would help them facilitate their defence as the documents related to a publication of the article in The Post which was the subject of the litigation. Sources at the newspaper note with great concern that since the offices and printing press of The Post were closed by the government, it has been difficult to operate efficiently; which has resulted in many challenges. Compounding the situation has been cases where cadres from the ruling 15 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA party, the PF have on several occasions grabbed copies of the newspaper from the vendors as they were spotted selling on the streets. These are the realities that the media in Zambia are have to put up with. Steps need to be taken to ensure that the rule of law is maintained and the state must be the guarantor of it. The state cannot be seen to be abrogating this status quo no matter the apprehensions or fears it is confronted with. There is simply no excuse for trampling on freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Like Father Kennedy Chola observed, “the harassment of independent media is bad for democracy.”11 The media needs its free space to offer the information to the public unfettered as this is the oxygen of any functioning democracy. He rightly observed that the country was in need of a free and independent media. In his statement, the priest stated that the continued closure of The Post was not about taxes but politics and President Edgar Lungu’s government was not happy with the many corruption revelations or the extent to which the newspaper was providing checks and balances. It is indeed necessary to have an independent media that will cover the voiceless as it is obvious that those with divergent views will never be heard in public media. Therefore, the only avenue they have to have their voice heard is a free and independent media. Fr. Chola further urged the politicians to allow ZRA to engage with The Post over the disputed tax claims and bring the saga to a conclusive and productive end than let it drag on as it was an unnecessary blight on Zambia’s democratic credentials. Due to the high frequency of state interference in the working of the media during the quarter, especially around the election period, some election observers also expressed concern on the deterioration of the press freedom levels and the frequent violation of freedoms of expression of the opposition political parties. This was especially of great concern as the government, using the police kept frustrating opposition political parties by cancelling planned rallies across the breadth and length of the country, much to the chagrin of the observers. One such grouping was the European Union Observer Mission which grilled President Lungu over the cancellation of political rallies for the opposition UPND. Further, the election observer team expressed concern as to why the opposition did not have equal access to the public media. The team observed that instead of playing a fair game by offering equal access to all political parties the public media were going against the Electoral Code of Conduct as regards media access by all political parties. 11 The Post newspaper, 20th September 2016 16 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Zambia’s Election Code of Conduct contains a specific section that deals with media relations. Among the various such provisions have been the following; …media will provide fair and balanced reporting of the campaigns, policies, meetings, rallies and press conferences of all registered political parties and candidates during the campaign period; provide news of the electoral process up to the declaration of results; report election news in an accurate…12 Instead of observing the guidelines, the public media’s coverage was favouring the ruling party. Other commentators on the dire state of media in Zambia expressed fear that the trend would have repercussions on the nation’s image and more so on donor confidence in as far as support towards the country’s economic development goals are concerned. One such is Professor Oliver Saasa. Professor Saasa states, “No responsible donor will put money in a country which has muzzled independent media.13 He observed that in the face of these governance challenges it would be difficult to extend aid to Zambia by several multilateral and bilateral institutions and states respectively. Prof. Saasa observed that democracy cannot thrive based on inaccurate information. Democracy cannot thrive with insufficient information for citizens to be able to make informed decisions. So if as a country we decide to shut out certain sections of the media which provide critical information, media that have the ability to analyse issues, then the electorate and general citizenry will have no capacity to demand of their leaders what is appropriate. He observes that a free and independent media is the most important as opposed to government media, because state media is generally expected to be a mouthpiece of the government. That a free media is not only important only in terms of meeting the expectations of the people but to inform even government to take corrective action is not in any doubt. Under the theory of a libertarian media, it is often commonplace to expect free media not to toe the line of the party in power. The media may actually intend to remove a government from power because it is a democracy where everyone has an interest. They cannot be neutral and it must be borne in the mind that this very lack of neutrality is what constitutes democracy since democracy is about the contestation of ideas. The fact of a free media criticising those in power is not that they hate them. Therefore, a nation cannot boast to have a democracy when they have removed an essential part of what constitutes it-an independent press. 12 Electoral Commission Code of Conduct 2006, Clause 12 (1) a 13 Professor Oliver Saasa, in The Post Newspaper, 27 th September 2016 17 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA The incidences and evidence gathered and presented in this report therefore, represents a worrying trend of the recent political environment in which the media has been operating. It represents an agonisingly intimidating environment within which some of the private and independent media are having to operate. Observers and press freedom activists alike have continually registered great concern at the happenings in the quarter as they do not bode well for the continued growth and flourishing of the media sector in the country. These actions ultimately take away from the achievements recorded thus far in the promotion of a free, plural and diverse media landscape vital for a young and fledgling democracy such as Zambia’s. The extreme levels of political intolerance in this quarter have been at an all-time unacceptably high. Most of those interviewed expressed apprehension that the political environment was deteriorating rather than improving. Unfortunately, a lack of political will to implement the necessary reforms to improve the situation means it could get worse before or if it ever will have to get better in the near future. In the meantime, the struggle for media freedom continues. The struggle is real as evidence shows from the period under review. In the same quarter, MISA Zambia launched the 2nd quarter State of the Media report for 2016 which showed glaring trends of continued journalists’ harassment mostly by political party cadres and continued government interference in the operations of the media. Further, the report observed that the holdups to enjoyment of freedom of expression continue to be present in the form of several existing auxiliary laws that take away from the full enjoyment of the provisions of freedom of expression, on which broader media freedom depends. Among these laws that still pose this challenge include the penal code provisions of the prohibited publications (Sec 53), Defamation of the President (Sec. 69), seditious practices (Sec. 60), Obscenity (Sec. 177) as well as other wider provisions such as the State Security Act (Cap. 111) as well as the Public Order Act (Cap. 113). Further the report highlighted the high levels of political polarisation that was being exhibited by the media as a concern, especially in light of the nation headed towards the general elections on August 11, 2016. This was more of a concern especially for the public media which were expected to be above board by virtue of being public institutions which are funded by public finances and are therefore supposed to accord equal and fair coverage to a cross section of society. An appropriate description of the legal-political environment was perhaps summed up by one respondent, “There was break down in the rule of law and justice did not prevail as in many instances because of political interference by the ruling party” 18 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 3.3.1 ATI law progress Side by side with the general elections held on the 11th August 2016, the country also held a national referendum on the enhancement to the Bill of Rights. This was perhaps the one most important opportunity for the ATI process to receive a huge boost since part of the Bill of Rights contained articles that would have enshrined press freedom and access to information in the constitution of the land. Article 23 was of the Bill of Rights draft is particularly progressive towards the attainment of a free media devoid of government interference as quoted below; Freedom of media 23. (1) Subject to clause (3), the freedom and independence of electronic, broadcasting, print and other forms of media is guaranteed. (2) The State shall not exercise control over or interfere with a person engaged in – (a) broadcasting or the production or circulation of publications; or (b) the dissemination of information through any media. (3) The State may license broadcasting and other electronic media where it is necessary to regulate signals and signal distribution. (4) Public media shall(a) independently determine the editorial content of their broadcasts or communications; and (b) afford fair opportunity for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinions. But, with the holding of the referendum and its abysmal performance and suffering a devastating No vote, the hopes of a truly free press, one that would be enshrined and protected under the most sacred part of the supreme law of the land, were almost certainly dashed, at least for the foreseeable future. This effectively meant such a progressive bill remains on paper, without effect, forcing several interested stakeholders to come up with alternative modalities to ensure that such pieces of legislation are not allowed to gather dust on the shelves and eventually suffer a natural death. Is it feasible, only time will tell? The hope of every ATI and press freedom advocate is that there should be other ways to have these pieces of legislation to find themselves in the statute books. In the same light, Airtel Zambia observed that access to information and other fundamental freedoms were essential for society to forge ahead in the pursuit of development. Speaking at an ICT and New Media workshop in Kitwe, Airtel Zambia head of corporate communications and government relations Yuyo Kambiambi expressed optimism that more people would have access to important information critical to decision making further noting that ICT and new media were now considered a necessity as opposed to a luxury. This is because without media, people in 19 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA societies would be isolated, not only from the world but also from their own governments, lawmakers and other decision makers. The hope had been that the Bill of Rights passes the referendum to have these important clauses enshrined into the supreme law of the land. 3.4 Freedom of expression during the third quarter Freedom of expression and of the media in Zambia has remained a challenging matter in the third quarter as evidence shows from the various media reports analysed as well as from interviews with industry players. Several of the respondents interviewed were unanimous in agreeing that the levels of freedom of expression were deteriorating in the nation. One of them had this to say; “The situation in Zambia in terms of freedom of expression is bad. Media houses like The Post, Komboni Radio, Muvi TV and Itezhi Tezhi Radio were closed. Opposition Political figures and their cadres were arrested for merely expressing themselves”14 Others expressed similar sentiments noting that a number of media outlets had been closed after the elections, apparently because of how they covered the elections, which was seen as anti-government or pro-opposition. However, they concede that closing media is never a good sign of press freedom. Another illustration of the lack of Freedom of expression described by another respondent who sought anonymity; “…freedom of expression was not there in the media in the third quarter of 2016 because most government departments were withholding information and were being asked not to answer any question from a media personnel by a named Permanent Secretary. This made us not to avail most of the happenings to the masses thereby denying them their freedom of expression and right to information. For instance, whenever people are complaining about a road, lack of water or basic needs, there was no response from government as they indicated that they have no money to carryout developmental programs. Some cadres from the ruling party wanted to be given more coverage than those in the opposition.” 15 As observed by others still, the levels of freedom of expression and of media were below average owing to the harassment of media practitioners by the Police plus the suspension of some media institutions by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). The continued impasse between the ZRA and The Post Newspaper is another yet another black spot on the freedom of expression. 14 Misheck Wangwe, Chief Reporter, Copperbelt Region, The Post Newspaper, 14 th October 2016 15 Anonymous respondent, 13th July 2016 20 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA The fact of lack of freedom of expression in the quarter under review is not in dispute. What might be in dispute are the different views on the levels of lack of this right for the journalism profession. The quarter, as the previous two in the year had these challenges demonstrated here Perhaps the most apt depiction can be summed up in the following from one of the respondents who simply states, “Generally, there has [been] a decline in the levels of freedom of expression and media freedoms in the second quarter of 2016. I have observed that individuals and organisations who present divergent views have been silenced or threatened mainly by supporters of the governing party.”16 There was not much happening in this sector of the media except for the sad tales of closures of broadcast media houses sufficiently handled elsewhere in this report. We shall therefore not belabour the point except to note that it was an extremely challenging period for the broadcast media sector as earlier illustrated. According to the IBA list obtained for the quarter under review, there weren’t any changes in the numbers of the broadcast media in the country as was last observed. The number of television outlets remained at 33 with 17 television stations operational, 94 Radio stations countrywide out of which 88 are operational. From 17 operational television channels, 11 TV Channels are on the DTT platform. This is a significant achievement.17 According to the IBA, broadcasting houses are providing platforms on which people are expressing their views. Various individuals are invited to radio and TV stations to appear on programs while others are given the opportunity to call in and text their views. However, IBA notes that the political environment has been generally hostile to the broadcast media in particular. Broadcasters and guests at TV and radio stations have been subjected to attacks by mainly political entities or supporters of various political parties. 16 Anonymous, 1st July 2016 17 Mr. Eustace Nkandu Director, Standards and Licensing, IBA, 12th July 2016 21 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA The major highlight was the grounding of the Zambian Watchdog website as well as all its social media platforms since the middle of September 2016. The details of the operations to ground it or who was behind its closure remain unclear but there has been a marked absence of this once forthright and influential online news site that has been felt across the new media sector. Versions of unconfirmed reports of state action have continued to emerge over the fate of the Zambian Watchdog but an independent verification by this researcher failed. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook have continued to dominate the landscape in terms of breaking news and have offered mainstream media outlets a challenge to keep up with the fast pace at which they operate. A number of notable news sites that are frequently used by the masses include the Zambian eye, Zambian Watchdog, Zambia Reports, Lusaka Voice, Lusaka Times, and Mwebantu Media among several others. These and several others have their presence with their own domain names as well as on the social media platform Facebook. Typical online media outlets have described themselves as “…Media platform formed by creative minds, continuously adapting to the News Reader’s demands and providing the latest platform for best collaborative media interaction and crowd-sourced feedback.”18 One key element that is evident among the online and new media has been the continued incessant appetite to publish unconfirmed reports of events in a competitive market to try and outdo the competitors and land a scoop. This trend tends to render most of the news sites incredible among several readers. And reminiscent of the mainstream news media outlets, there is overwhelming evidence of polarisation among the players in the sub sector. Despite having various focus areas, the election campaign period has seen most of the online media take partisan stances in the way they cover and report the news in the country. With internet penetration falling down from around 40% in the quarter of the population to stand at 35% as captured by ZICTA, the potential impact of online media still remains huge as a significant contributor to information dissemination. However, a drop in the overall internet subscription of about 5 percent is too significant to be ignored. The reasons for this can only be speculated upon as at now to be anywhere from technological challenges to economic challenges with people being unable to sustain their subscription to the internet. However, despite the downward spiralling of internet subscription, online and new media still represents a huge incentive for the online and new media to grow and provide a more credible service to the masses which translates to over one third of the total population of around 16 million inhabitants. 18 http://lusakavoice.com/about-lusaka-voice/ 22 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 2016 Indicator Number Mobile Subscription Fixed Line Subscription Mobile Internet Users Penetration Rate 70.5% 115,423 0.7% 5,715,493 35.6% users as at 35,960 0.2% 2015/2016 2015 Mobile Subscription Fixed Line Subscription Mobile Internet Users Compariso 11,309,725 Fixed Internet Subscription Indicator Figure.1 Number Penetration Rate 11,557,725 74.3% 116,165 0.7% 6,090,412 39.0% 38,316 0.3% Fixed Internet Subscription Source: ZICTA 2016. 19 20 19 http://www.zicta.zm/ 20 http://onlinesystems.zicta.zm:8585/statsfinal/ 23 n of Internet STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 6.0 Media alerts and communiques in the 3rd quarter 2016 6.1.1 8th July, 2016 Press freedom and freedom of expression alert Early Warning Notification System officially unveiled MISA Zambia Access to Information Ambassador, Reverend Suzanne Matale, has officially announced the Early Warning Notification System (EWNS) which is a systematic way of collecting information in good time to avert the increasing violations against media houses and journalists especially in the build up to the August 11 polls and thereafter. The system template aims to gather information every time there is a violation or threat of violation against a media house or journalist by collecting specific information such as the Reporting Entity, Details of the Person, Reporting Date, Nature of Incident and the basic details of the incident. As part of the system, a WhatsApp and email group for all media houses and one dedicated mobile hotline, 0979 580451, have been put in place to capture all data sent out on a 24/7 6.1.2 basis. 10th July, 2016 (The Post Newspaper) Media freedom violation alert Detained Post Photo Journalist David Kashiki was on Friday, 8th July 2016 arrested by Police at the UPND Secretariat as he was taking pictures of suspected of them at the UPND secretariat where cadres were protesting the cancellation of the opposition rallies. Kashiki, who arrived at the scene in time for the protest procession which started from Lusaka’s Chawama compound, was arrested after attempting to take photographs of police who were brutalising UPND cadres at their secretariat in Fairview. He, together with several UPND cadres was held at Central Police without charge 6.1.3 4th August 2016, (MISA Zambia Facebook) Media freedom violation alert Assaulted New Vision Newspaper's Elijah Mumba was attacked by UPND cadre in Chainda on 3rd August 2016 as he went about gathering news. The cadre reportedly confronted Elijah Mumba, a New 24 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Vision newspaper reporter at whom he hurled insults and physically attacked with a brick leading to a deep wound on Mumba's head which later received 16 stitches. According to information gathered, Mumba was only rescued by onlookers after he passed out and the matter was later reported to the Police in Chainda. 6.1.4 4th August 2016 (Lusaka Times) Media freedom violation alert Police summons Following MISA's statement earlier today condemning Police complacency in dealing with attacks and political violence against journalists, police summoned MISA Chairperson, Hellen Mwale to appear before the DCIO at force headquarters on 5th August 2016. Earlier, Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga issued a reaction to the MISA statement. 6.1.5 19th August 2016 (The Post Newspaper) Legal matters Defamation of the President Case The matter in which two Post Newspaper journalists, Mukosha Funga and Joan Chirwa, are charged with defamation of the President comes up on 18th August before Magistrate Mulife. The duo are jointly charged with Fourth Revolution President, Eric Chanda. The matter could not take off on Tuesday as the trial magistrate was said to be unwell. The penal code provision on defamation of the president (section 69) is one of the laws that MISA has been advocating against as a duplication, an unconstitutional provision which limits freedom of expression and media freedom and creates a serious chilling effect on the practice of journalism in Zambia. 6.1.6 23rd August 2016 (Daily Nation, The Post Newspaper, Zambia Daily Mail) Media freedom violation alert IBA Suspends broadcasting licenses The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) suspended broadcasting licences for Muvi TV, Komboni Radio and Itezhi Tezhi Radio respectively for it terms as "unprofessional conduct posing a risk to national peace and stability". 25 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA The IBA cited section 29 (1)(j) of the IBA amendment act of 2010 which cites that "the IBA board may cancel a broadcasting license if the cancellation of the license is necessary in the interest of public safety, security, peace, welfare or good order". Earlier in the day, the authority issued a warning to broadcast media houses and later called for a second briefing in the afternoon. 26 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA The review of the quarter has shown that the state of the media operating environment deteriorated to perhaps an all-time low. This is as seen from government’s heavy handedness, despite showing the willingness to liberate the media, making reluctant steps in coming up with legislation in line with the policy pronouncements that have continued to come from various quarters within the ruling party ranks and government. What is evident though, is that the hope for a freer media in Zambia is ever getting farfetched going by the recent events recorded in the second quarter. The continued consolidation of press freedom and freedom of expression in Zambia suffered further setbacks in the quarter under review as demonstrated in the analysis presented and as several stakeholders observed. State interference, which was a trend in decline has also seen a significant spike. Political interference, sheer police and political cadres’ brutality against journalists have been at their worst in the quarter. Legal suits have equally not spared the media fraternity. The failure of the referendum has also meant the ATI remains even more remote now than ever as a pipedream. This does not bode well for the present and future of the media in Zambia. Another factor of concern to the media fraternity is the high level of attacks on media and violations that were recorded during the quarter. Physical attacks and threats against journalists in the field gathering news is an issue that has continued to nudge many media practitioners. Stakeholders including political parties, the police and members of the general public have been constantly urged to afford a safe operating environment for the journalists to fulfil the information needs of society. It is a call that we continue to remind everyone to observe as we all agree that we need the information mostly provided by these journalists. Their safety and protection ensures that they provide timely and quality information to society to inform their choices and decisions. The high number of litigations initiated against media outlets and individual journalists is another worrying trend and not healthy for the growth of media in the country. These high levels of litigation also point to a deficit in media reforms; a situation that has continued to be a thorn in the media for long. Certain laws and other regulations continue to plague and hamper the smooth operations of the media. It is hoped that certain of such laws will be repealed and /or amended where necessary to move with the times. This is because most of these pieces of law used against the media are draconian and some have outlasted their original purpose. 27 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Going forward, media freedom advocacy bodies should continue to call upon government and other stakeholder to be magnanimous enough and ensure that those progressive media clauses such as the access to information and freedom of expression articles are somehow incorporated into the constitution despite tumbling in the referendum vote. The following are the recommendations drawn from the review; a) Enactment of the ATI - It is recommended that government keeps its word on the enactment of this very important piece of legislation to enhance access to information by the general public about the way the country is run. This will enhance the fight against corruption as well as improve accountability among those that hold public office. b) Protection of journalists - Government and all other stakeholders are urged to ensure that the rights of journalists are not only recognised but vehemently protected to guarantee them a safe operating environment. The safety of the journalist will ensure that they gather quality information that is disseminated in a timely manner. Journalists for their part should strive to be professional and responsible in their work to reduce the risks involved in the job. c) Freeing of state media - There has been marked eroding of past gains towards freeing of public media from government interference. Government should do more and move in the direction of making these institutions truly public as opposed to state owned, run and controlled. This will tremendously improve their capacity, credibility and ultimately impact positively on the media fraternity in general in the country d) Repeal of all draconian pieces of legislation hostile to media - The call to repeal certain pieces of outdated legislation is still something we continue to urge lawmakers to seriously look into. Stakeholders should take the opportunity presented by the constitution review process to ensure that this is achieved. e) Advocacy activities - All concerned stakeholders are urged to continue with advocacy activities on all situations, processes and areas that negatively affect the work of journalists. This is in order to achieve the highest levels of freedom and protection of journalists’ rights. f) The media industry still needs to improve. Media advocacy institutions need to strike a balance between promoting media freedom and freedom of expression on one hand and insistence on professional journalism and responsible behaviour on both sources and media workers on the other. g) The struggle for media law reforms must continue. h) Need for a comprehensive media and communication policy - Zambia still lacks a comprehensive media and communication policy to be the blueprint for the media industry’s diverse activities, growth and general provisions except for a 1996 draft policy which was revised 28 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA in 2002 and 2012. This particular document must receive the necessary attention and scrutiny that has thus far been lacking as it would be vital in organising the media industry in the country in a more comprehensive and conclusive manner. 29 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Broadcast Media houses as at 7th July 2016 Licenced Radio Stations NO LICENCEE 1 Falls 2 Zambezi 3 Mosi-u-tunya 4 Voice of Kalomo 5 Vision Maacha 6 Mazabuka 7 Namwiaanga 8 Sky 9 Kariba 10 Salvation Army 11 Chikuni Young 12 Generation 13 Byta FM 14 Choma Maano NO LICENCEE 1 Isoka 2 Mpika 3 Kwenje NO LICENCEE 1 Mkushi 2 Maranatha 3 KNC SOUTHERN PROVINCE LICENCE DISTRICT Commercial free to air Livingstone Radio Commercial free to air Livingstone radio Community free to air Radio Livingstone Community free to air Radio Kalomo Community free to air Radio Choma Community free to Radio Mazabuka Community free to Air Kalomo Radio Commercial free to Air Radio Monze Community free to Air Radio Siavonga Community free to Air Radio Chinkankata Community free to Air Radio Chikuni Commercial Free to Air Radio Choma Commercial free to Air Radio Choma Commercial free to Air Choma Radio MUCHINGA PROVINCE CATEGORY DISTRICT Community free to air Isoka Radio Community free to air Mpika Radio Community free to Air Chama Radio CENTRAL PROVINCE CATEGORY Community free to air Radio Community free to air Radio Commercial free to Air Radio 30 (14) FREQUENCY 90.1 FM 107.7 FM 106.0 FM 89.1 FM 92.2 FM 100.9 FM 90.5 FM 93.7 FM 89.1 FM 90.9 FM 91.9 FM 97.7 FM (3) FREQUENCY 90.3 FM 89.5 FM 89.3 FM (7) DISTRICT FREQUENCY Mkushi 93.0 FM Kabwe 103.5 FM Kabwe 101.7 FM STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Community free to Air Radio 4 Serenje Commercial free to Air 5 Mumbwa Blue sky Radio Serenje 89.5 FM Mumbwa 93.9 FM 6 Foston Religious Kabwe … 7 Itezhi tezhi Community WESTERN PROVINCE Itezhi tezhi 90.9FM (6) NO STATION 1 Lukulu 2 Mungu 3 Liseli 4 Lyambai 5 Luanginga 6 Cheke NO STATION 1 Sun 2 Yar 3 Icengelo 4 Baptist Faith 5 Iwave 6 Chimwemwe 7 Jive 8 9 9 10 Kokoliko Flava FM Radio Mpongwe Rise FM 1 Mano 2 Walamo 3 Lubuto 4 Lutanda 5 Luswepo CATEGORY DISTRICT Community free to Air Radio Lukulu Commercial free to Air Radio Mongu Community free to Air Mongu Radio Community free to Air Mongu Radio Community Free to Air Kalabo Community Free to Air Kaoma COPPERBELT PROVINCE CATEGORY DISTRICT Commercial free to Air Radio Ndola Commercial free to Air Radio Kitwe Community free to Air Radio Kitwe Community free to Air Kitwe Radio Commercial free to Air Chingola Radio Community free to Air Ndola Radio Commercial free to Air Ndola Radio Commercial free to Air Radio Chingola Commercial free to Air Kitwe Community free to Air Mpongwe Commercial free to Air Chingola NOTHERN PROVINCE Community free to Air Radio Kasama Community free to Air Radio Mpulungu Community free to Air Kaputa Radio Community Kasama Community Mbala 31 FREQUENCY 100.3 FM 88.5 FM 101.9 FM 105.3 FM (11) FREQUENCY 88.5 FM 89.9 FM 89.1 FM 106.8 FM 90.1 FM 91.7 FM 90.9 FM 94.9 FM (6) 98.3 FM 89.2 FM 89.9 FM STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 6 Northern FM NO STATION 1 Luapula 2 Yangeni 3 K FM 4 Tuta 5 Bangwela NO STATION 1 Mphangwe 2 Maria 3 Valley 4 Breeze 5 Feel Free 6 Chikaya 7 Petauke Explorers 8 PASME 9 Radio Café NO STATION 1 Lumba 2 Kasempa 3 FCC Solwezi 4 Mwinilunga 5 Kabangabanga 6 New Generation 7 Beats NO STATION 1 Rock FM Commercial Kasama LUAPULA PROVINCE CATEGORY DISTRICT Community free to Air Nchelenge Radio Community free to Air Samfya Radio Commercial free to Air Mansa Radio Commercial free to Air Mansa Radio Community free to Air Bangwela Radio EASTERN PROVINCE CATEGORY DISTRICT Community free to Air Katete Radio Community free to Air Radio Chipata Commercial free to Air Radio Nyimba Commercial free to Air Radio Chipata Commercial free to Air Radio Chipata Community free to Air Radio Lundazi Community free to Air Petauke Radio Community free to Air Petauke Radio Commercial free to Air Petauke NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCE CATEGORY DISTRICT Community free to air radio Kasempa Community free to radio Kasempa Community free to air Solwezi radio Community free to air Mwinilunga radio Community free to radio Solwezi Commercial free to Air Radio Solwezi Commercial free to Air Solwezi Radio LUSAKA PROVINCE CATEGORY DISTRICT Commercial free to radio Lusaka 32 (5) FREQUENCY 93.7 FM 98.2 FM 95.5 FM 90.7 FM 89.7 FM (9) FREQUENCY 91.7 FM 89.5 FM 100.5 FM 98.9 FM 90.9 FM 98.5 FM 91.4 FM 93.1 FM (7) FREQUENCY 90.7 FM 91.9 FM 89.7 FM 88.2 FM 97.7 FM 90.1 FM 96.1 FM (23) FREQUENCY 96.5 FM STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 1 NO 1 2 3 Commercial free to air radio 5 FM Lusaka Kafue Community free to radio Kafue Chongwe Community free to radio Chongwe Commercial free to air radio Hot Lusaka Commercial free to air radio Phoenix Lusaka Commercial free to air radio Q FM Lusaka Commercial free to air radio Ama Lusaka Commercial free to air Comet 10 Lusaka radio Commercial free to air Joy Lusaka radio Commercial free to air Komboni Lusaka radio Commercial free to air radio Metro Lusaka Commercial free to air radio Millennium Lusaka Commercial free to air radio Pan African Lusaka Commercial free to air radio Power Lusaka Educational free to air radio Evelyn Lusaka Educational free to air Unza Lusaka radio Community free to air Christian Voice Lusaka radio Community free to Air Yatsani Lusaka Radio Commercial free to Air Radio Roots Lusaka Community free to Air Premier One Love Radio Lusaka Community free to Air Radio United Voice Lusaka Modern Voice Commercial free to Air Chirundu LANDING RIGHTS BROADCASTING SERVICE Landing Rights Broadcasting Service BBC Lusaka PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTER STATION CATEGORY DISTRICT ZNBC Radio 1 PSB Lusaka ZNBC Radio 2 PSB Lusaka ZNBC Radio 4 PSB Lusaka 33 89.9 FM 107.8 FM 104.5 FM 87.7 FM 89.5 FM 89.1 FM 93.3 FM 93.7 FM 106.9 FM 94.9 FM 94.5 FM 90.5 FM 105.1 FM 99.7 FM 94.2 FM 91.7 FM 106.2 FM 99.1 FM 101.3 FM 104.1 FM 92.7 FM (1) 98.1 FM (4) FREQUENCY 102.9 FM 95.7 FM 88.1 FM STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 4 Parliament Source: IBA PSB Lusaka 92.0 FM 9.1.2 Licenced Television Stations NO LICENSEE CATEGORY 1 ZNBC 1 2 YEAR ISSUED STATUS DISTRICT PROVINCE PSB - DTT Operational Lusaka Lusaka ZNBC 2 PSB- DTT Operational Lusaka Lusaka 3 Muvi TV Subscription Operational Lusaka Lusaka 4 MOBI TV Commercial DTT Operational Lusaka Lusaka 5 TBN 1 Religious-DTT Operational Lusaka Lusaka 6 Multichoice Subscription Operational Lusaka Lusaka 7 CBC Commercial DTT Operational Lusaka Lusaka 8 Prime TV Commercial DTT Operational Lusaka Lusaka 9 Northwest TV Commercial Operational Solwezi Northwestern 10 Copperbelt TV Commercial Not Operational Kitwe Copperbelt 11 Strong TV Subscription Operational Lusaka Lusaka 12 Chipata TV Commercial Operational Chipata Eastern 13 City Channels Subscription Cable Cable Network 2014 Operational Lusaka Lusaka 14 Revelation TV Religious DTT 2015 Operational Lusaka Lusaka 15 CAMNET Community 2015 Not yet operational Lusaka Lusaka 16 Platinum Commercial 2015 Construction Lusaka Lusaka 17 Catholic Community 2015 Construction Lusaka Lusaka 18 Muvi Satellite 2015 Operational Lusaka 34 Lusaka STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Television Subscription 19 Q Television Commercial 2015 Operational Lusaka Lusaka 20 City Television commercial 2016 Operational Lusaka Lusaka 21 StarSat Satellite Subscription 2016 Operational Lusaka Lusaka 22 France 24 Television Landing rights 2016 Operational Lusaka Lusaka 23 Mozo commercial 2016 Not yet operational Lusaka Lusaka 24 ABN Agri Business commercial 2016 Not yet operational Lusaka Lusaka 25 City Channels DTT Cable Network 2016 Not yet operational Lusaka Lusaka 26 Hope commercial 2016 Not yet operational Lusaka Lusaka 27 Kopala commercial 2016 Not yet operational Kitwe Copperbelt 28 Zed commercial Entertainment 2016 Not yet operational t Lusaka Lusaka 29 Covenant Broadcasting Company 2 commercial 2016 Not yet operational Lusaka Lusaka 30 Covenant Broadcasting Company 3 commercial 2016 Not yet operational Lusaka Lusaka 31 Covenant Broadcasting Company 4 commercial 2016 Not yet operational Lusaka Lusaka 32 TBN 2 Community 2016 Operational Lusaka Lusaka 33 ZNBC TV 3 PSB - DTT Operational Lusaka Lusaka Source: IBA 35 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 9.1.3 Other Television Station on Construction NO STATION NAME DISTRICT STATUS CATEGORY 1 Fresh Lusaka Construction Commercial 2 ViewSat Lusaka Construction Commercial 3 Nonkas Lusaka Construction Commercial Source: IBA 36 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA State of the media Interview guide for media houses/personnel Organisation……………………………………………… Name and Rank of respondent………………................. (To be withheld on demand) Date……………………………………………………….. 1. How would you describe the levels of freedom of expression and of media in the 3rd quarter of 2016? ................................................................................................................................................ 2. What technology were you using in your work to enhance information dissemination? ................................................................................................................................................ 3. What have been the levels of your outreach during the quarter? ................................................................................................................................................ 4. Have you improved or reduced your outreach? If so why/if not why? ................................................................................................................................................ 5. What are your views on how the political environment affected media operations? ................................................................................................................................................ 6. What are your views on how legal environment was in the quarter for media operations? .............................................................................................................................................. 7. How would you describe the economic environment in the quarter for the media? ................................................................................................................................................ 8. What challenges besides the above did the media face in the period under review? ................................................................................................................................................ Please ensure you have given as much information as is relevant to each question Review your responses to ensure clarity and once done save and email back to [email protected] 37 STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA State of the media Interview guide for media regulators Organisation……………………………………………… Name and Rank of respondent………………................. (To be withheld on demand) Date……………………………………………………….. 1. How would you describe the levels of freedom of expression and of media in the 3rd quarter of 2016? ................................................................................................................................................ 2. What is the number of current registered broadcast media houses as at 30/09/2016 by your organisation (TV and RADIO, Community, Commercial/private and Public)? ............................................................................................................................................... 3. What have been the levels of your outreach to the media houses during the quarter? ................................................................................................................................................ 4. Have you improved or reduced your outreach? If so why/if not why? ................................................................................................................................................ 5. How would you describe the political environment in the first quarter for media operations? ................................................................................................................................................ 6. How would you describe the legal environment in the quarter for media operations? .............................................................................................................................................. 7. How would you describe the economic environment in the quarter for media? ................................................................................................................................................ 8. How would you describe your work in the media industry, positives and negatives? ………………………………………………….. 9. Do you have any general comments on the state of the media in the quarter under review? ................................................................................................................................................ Please ensure you have given as much information as is relevant to each question Review your responses to ensure clarity and once done save and email back to [email protected] 38