The Comedians Association of Zambia (COAZ) has […]

The Comedians Association of Zambia (COAZ) has called on comedians and content creators to exercise responsibility when producing prank videos, emphasizing that entertainment should not come at the expense of public safety or legal boundaries.

 Speaking to the Zambian Business Times (ZBT) in an exclusive interview, COAZ President Mwanchingwala Cheelo acknowledged that while prank comedy has long been a staple of entertainment, popularized globally by figures like Leon Schuster, creators must avoid life-threatening stunts and respect the rights of others.

 His comments come amid growing public concern over social media videos depicting risky pranks, such as individuals lying on roads or performing hazardous stunts in public spaces to attract online views. “I am quite neutral about it because it falls under humour. But people need to be cautious. They should not be doing life-threatening stunts or taking things too far because that becomes a problem,” Cheelo stated.

He urged content creators to carefully consider their filming locations, the potential impact on bystanders, and whether their actions comply with the law. “If they go overboard and break the law, then the law will have to take its course,” he warned. Cheelo also stressed the importance of respecting privacy and ensuring that content is suitable for its intended audience.

He noted that while the rapid growth of social media has expanded opportunities for comedians, it also brings greater responsibility to create content that entertains without endangering lives or causing harm.

Article Karen Ngulube