IBA urges professionalism in election coverage

The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has reiterated its call on all radio and television stations to be professional in their reporting of elections.

Speaking this morning during a workshop for election reporting organized by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) in Lusaka, IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma said all broadcasting stations should make sure that they follow the programming standards that are provided for in the IBA act.

Ms Mapoma has also stressed the need for broadcasting stations to abide by the electoral code of conduct when covering elections.

She states that IBA further expects that all stations to show respect for human dignity and human rights and freedoms and tolerant divergent views.

Ms Mapoma has further urged broadcasting stations to uphold among other key professional ethics accuracy, impartiality and objectivity as report about elections.

She however adds that even though she understands that the coverage of political parties will be on an equitable basis, IBA expects that stations shall observe the principle of right to reply.

And speaking earlier media institute of southern Africa (MISA) Zambia chapter chairperson Hellen Mwale observed the need for the media to engage critically with political players, party manifestos and policies in order that the electorate can make an informed decision.

Ms. Mwale points out that the media should remind each other that the obligation of journalism is to the truth and that loyalty is to the public.

Ms. Mwale said this in a speech read on her behalf by MISA board member Wilson Pondamali.