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The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has expressed concern over the growing number of religious programmes on Zambian airwaves that promote misleading claims such as instant wealth, miraculous healing, the return of lost lovers, and job guarantees.
In a statement issued Friday, IBA acting Director General, Susan Ndumingu, said the Authority had observed troubling content on some broadcasting stations where pastors and traditional healers make supernatural claims and coercive statements that exploit the vulnerability of audiences.
“Some of these programmes involve threats, fearmongering, and verbal attacks against dissenting callers. This is unacceptable and breaches ethical broadcasting standards,” Ndumingu stated.
She cited Section 4.2.6 of the Standard Operating Procedures, which prohibits the exploitation of audience susceptibilities during religious broadcasts.
The IBA also condemned reports of traditional healers threatening stations that decline to air their misleading content.
Ndumingu warned that stations failing to vet and regulate such content risk regulatory action. She urged all broadcasters to uphold their licensing conditions and promote credible, ethical programming.
“The Authority remains committed to fostering responsible broadcasting that serves the public interest and upholds trust in the media,” she added.
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