IBA explains jurisdiction over campaign coverage

Josephine Mapoma

The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) says it has no powers to act upon complaints of unfair coverage being made against the public broadcaster ZNBC.

IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma has told QTV that ZNBC is not licensed by the IBA.

Ms. Mapoma explains that the IBA is only mandated to regulate broadcasting media houses it issues licenses to.

She says the IBA can therefore only make an appeal to ZNBC to give equitable coverage to all political parties taking part in the August general election.

Ms. Mapoma has also encouraged aggrieved political parties to complain directly to ZNBC if they find the coverage by the public broadcaster to unfair or biased.