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The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has cautioned broadcasting stations on the coverage of matters relating to the late former Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, following recent legal and media developments.
The Authority emphasised that while the passing of the former Head of State remained of significant public interest, broadcasters must exercise caution and responsibility in their reporting.
IBA Director General, Webster Malido, said the media had a duty to avoid causing further distress to the bereaved family and unnecessary public anxiety.
Malido urged broadcasters to rely strictly on credible and official sources, including authorised spokespersons, to ensure the integrity of information.
He warned that the dissemination of unverified information undermined the credibility of broadcasting houses and compromises public trust.
“Inaccurate reporting erodes the right of audiences to receive balanced and factual information,” Malido said.
He further appealed to broadcasters to uphold professional standards and ethical practices during this sensitive period, noting that the guidance was anchored in Section 5 of the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act of 2002.
Malido said the Authority remained committed to safeguarding the integrity of public information and ensuring responsible journalism, urging broadcasters to demonstrate respect, professionalism, and accountability in their coverage.
On Wednesday, a South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) report indicated that the Zambian government had now executed the August 2025 Gauteng High Court in Pretoria judgment authorising the repatriation of his body for a State funeral and burial in Zambia.
According to the SABC report, the judgment—handed down by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria—gave Zambia the legal right to reclaim the late president’s remains.
This ruling effectively came into force after the Lungu family’s appeal attempt at the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa lapsed. The appeal reportedly expired because the family failed to meet the deadlines agreed upon with the Zambian government under an expedited schedule approved by the appellate court.
Former President Lungu died in South Africa on 5 June 2025, but a protracted legal tussle and subsequent appeals over the custody of his remains have stalled his burial for more than a year. With the court order now executable, the Zambian government’s latest move appears set to finally pave the way for his return home, though the timeline remains uncertain.
The development was widely reported by local media platforms before confirmation from government sources regarding the handling of the late President’s remains.
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