IBA suspends KBN TV for 30 days over election coverage breaches

THE Independent Broadcasting Authority has suspended KBN TV's broadcasting license for 30 days with immediate effect for breaching the 2026 Election Coverage Guidelines. The suspension was announced after the IBA board's 56th special meeting held Tuesday. According to IBA Director General Webster Malido, KBN TV was found guilty of six charges, including failure to conduct

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THE Independent Broadcasting Authority has suspended KBN TV’s broadcasting license for 30 days with immediate effect for breaching the 2026 Election Coverage Guidelines.

The suspension was announced after the IBA board’s 56th special meeting held Tuesday.

According to IBA Director General Webster Malido, KBN TV was found guilty of six charges, including failure to conduct discussions in a balanced, fair, accurate and objective manner, broadcasting unsubstantiated and unverified claims by guests and hosts, failure to present alternative viewpoints and to provide the right to reply, and failure to moderate a program after allowing inappropriate language on air.

The authority said it considered the station’s compliance history in reaching its decision. KBN TV appeared before the board four times and was cautioned in writing six times between 2023 and 2026 for similar breaches.

The license will remain suspended for the full 30-day period. During that time, KBN TV is required to conduct in-house training for its staff on program moderation and ethical broadcasting, and to review and strengthen its editorial policy to clearly spell out acceptable language and etiquette.

The station may appeal to the Minister of Information and Media within 30 days under Section 31(1) of the IBA Amendment Act.

KBN TV was among 17 stations cited for breaching election coverage guidelines following the authority’s assessment of coverage of the 2026 general election. The IBA said five stations had severe breaches and were called for compliance hearings, while 12 had minor infringements.

In the same meeting, the board also suspended three other stations — 3FM Radio of Chipata, Mungu FM Radio of Mongu and Healing TV of Lusaka — for 30 days over nonpayment of 2026 annual operating fees, and cautioned 16 stations for various breaches including airing content that could incite panic or violence, hate speech and tribalism, and misinformation.

The authority said the suspensions were imposed under Section 29(1)(i) of the IBA Amendment Act.

(the newsroom. Thursday, 24th September, 2026)

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