KBN TV suspended for 30 days over election coverage breaches

LUSAKA – The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has suspended KBN TV’s broadcasting licence for 30 days, citing breaches of the 2026 Election Coverage Guidelines and other broadcasting standards during the 2026 general election period. The suspension, which took effect immediately, follows the regulator’s assessment of election-related programming and comes after KBN TV had faced criticism […]

LUSAKA – The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has suspended KBN TV’s broadcasting licence for 30 days, citing breaches of the 2026 Election Coverage Guidelines and other broadcasting standards during the 2026 general election period.

The suspension, which took effect immediately, follows the regulator’s assessment of election-related programming and comes after KBN TV had faced criticism and accusations of giving greater space to opposition voices during the election campaign.

However, the IBA’s stated reasons for the suspension go beyond the political identity of guests appearing on the station.

According to IBA Director General Webster Malido, KBN TV was found to have failed to conduct some discussions in a balanced, fair, accurate and objective manner, broadcast unsubstantiated and unverified claims, failed to provide alternative viewpoints and the right to reply, and inadequately moderated a programme in which inappropriate language was used by a guest.

The decision was made at the IBA’s 56th Special Board Meeting held on September 23.

What exactly did the IBA find?

The regulator listed several areas of concern in its assessment of KBN TV’s programming.

These included:

• failure to conduct discussions in a balanced, fair, accurate and objective manner;
• broadcasting unsubstantiated claims by guests and hosts;
• broadcasting unverified information;
• failure to present alternative viewpoints;
• failure to provide a right of reply; and
• failure to effectively moderate a programme where inappropriate language was used by a guest.

The IBA says the suspension is for the full 30 days.

During the suspension period, KBN TV has also been directed to conduct internal capacity-building for its staff in programme moderation and ethical broadcasting, and to review and strengthen its editorial policy on acceptable broadcast language and on-air etiquette.

The politics around KBN TV

The suspension comes against a politically charged backdrop.

During the run-up to the August 13 election, KBN TV became one of the broadcasters whose political programming attracted scrutiny.

The station was accused by critics of giving opposition politicians a platform and, in some cases, of presenting political issues in a manner perceived as unfavourable to the ruling UPND.

But there is an important distinction between being accused of political bias and the regulator formally finding that a station breached broadcasting rules.

The IBA has not described the suspension as punishment for supporting an opposition party.

Instead, its stated findings concern balance, verification, alternative viewpoints, right of reply and programme moderation.

That distinction matters because the IBA’s own 2026 Election Coverage Guidelines require all broadcasters to provide election information that is accurate, balanced and fair, while ensuring reasonable access to political parties and candidates.

The guidelines also prohibit broadcasters from airing hate speech, tribalism, incitement, misinformation and unverified election-related content that could undermine the electoral process.

KBN TV had already been on the regulator’s radar

The latest suspension is also not KBN TV’s first encounter with the IBA.

According to Malido, the station appeared before the IBA Board four times between 2023 and 2026 and received six written cautions during that period over similar breaches.

The regulator took that compliance history into account when deciding on the latest suspension.

KBN TV’s relationship with the regulator has previously attracted attention from press-freedom organisations.

In April 2026, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported that KBN TV Managing Director Kennedy Mambwe had described the regulatory environment as contributing to self-censorship. CPJ also reported that the station had previously been summoned by the IBA and ordered to stop inviting politicians to present news programmes.

The earlier dispute centred on KBN TV’s Presidential News Desk, in which presidential hopefuls took turns anchoring Friday news editions. A media-freedom report by MISA also documented the regulator’s concerns about politicians presenting news on the station.

Election coverage under closer scrutiny

KBN TV is not the only broadcaster to have come under scrutiny following the election.

The IBA said 17 broadcasting stations were cited for breaches of the 2026 Election Coverage Guidelines following its assessment of election coverage.

Five stations were classified as having severe breaches and were called for compliance hearings, while 12 were classified as having minor infringements. The regulator subsequently cautioned 16 stations and directed them to undertake corrective measures.

The concerns identified across broadcasters included inadequate verification of serious allegations, weak programme moderation, failure to provide balance and context, misinformation, hate speech, tribalism and failure to provide a right of reply.

Earlier this month, the IBA summoned five stations for compliance hearings after identifying allegations involving unsubstantiated and unverified information, hate speech, tribal content and inadequate editorial challenge of claims made by guests.

This means the KBN TV suspension forms part of a broader post-election regulatory review rather than being an isolated action against one broadcaster.

What does the law say about broadcasting?

The IBA is the statutory regulator responsible for regulating Zambia’s broadcasting industry.

Its functions include granting, renewing, suspending and cancelling broadcasting licences, setting broadcasting standards and monitoring licensees for compliance.

The Authority says its monitoring covers areas including programme moderation and news reporting.

According to the IBA, news items are expected to meet ethical standards of balance, fairness and accuracy, while programme moderation includes the conduct of presenters, preparation for programmes, guidance given to guests and adherence to professional ethics.

The Authority’s own complaints procedure also requires broadcasters to observe the right to reply and to provide comprehensive, unbiased and independent news and current-affairs programming, with commentary clearly distinguished from news.

KBN TV says it is considering its options

In the public notice issued after the IBA decision, KBN TV management said it was coordinating with signal carriers as part of the process of implementing the suspension.

The station said that its network would become unavailable to viewers during the stipulated period while it considered and/or pursued available options.

KBN TV also described itself as committed to being an independent, ethical and professional media house that promotes divergent views in a democratic society.

The station’s notice does not concede the allegations made by the IBA.

There is an appeal route

The suspension is not necessarily the end of the regulatory process.

According to the IBA, KBN TV may appeal the decision to the Minister of Information and Media within 30 days, under Section 31(1) of the IBA (Amendment) Act No. 26 of 2010.

That leaves an important question over what happens next: whether KBN TV accepts the regulatory decision, challenges it through the available appeal process, or seeks another remedy.

For Zambia’s media sector, the wider issue is equally significant.

The 2026 election has placed renewed attention on the balance between broadcasting standards and media freedom — particularly when regulators are dealing with politically sensitive programming during an election.

The IBA says its guidelines are intended to ensure that citizens receive accurate and balanced information during elections.

For broadcasters, the challenge is to provide space for competing political views while ensuring that allegations are verified, opposing views are fairly represented and presenters properly challenge claims made on air.

Zambian Eye will continue to follow both KBN TV’s appeal and the wider regulatory review of Zambia’s election coverage.