The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) in collaboration with cooperating partners will soon start conducting capacity building programmes for all its licensees.
IBA Board Chairperson, Mabel Mung’omba, says the programmes will be tailored to equip journalists with knowledge and skills in election reporting to enhance professional and ethical coverage of the August 12, 2021gerneral elections.
Ms Mung’omba said as Zambia heads to the polls on August 12, 2021, the media will play a critical role in providing platforms for various political players and civil society organisations to reach out to the electorates.
“The Authority is aware that Broadcasting will be a preferred medium of dissemination of information because of its ability to reach the intended audience instantly, cutting across language barriers and allowing for immediate feedback,” she stated.
Ms Mung’omba explained that the Authority has devised a programme to reinforce the capacity of broadcasting stations on a number of issues such as the role of the media in the electoral cycle and risks associated with lack of understanding of the entire process.
“Other issues devised include understanding the provisions of the IBA Act that promotes professional and ethical reporting of elections, provisions in the Standard Operating Procedure on election reporting,” she added.
She stressed that the Authority will engage licensees on the electoral code of conduct with focus on the provisions of the role of the media in election reporting.
“IBA is hopeful that the capacity building programmes will not only equip stations with skills on election reporting but also enhance compliance by all licensed broadcasting stations.
This is according to a press statement issued to ZANIS by IBA Board Chairperson, Mabel Mung’omba in Lusaka today.
The Independent Broadcasting Authority – which is very much NOT independent, being a slave from the corrupt PF government – is hopefully not going to “train” journalists: it only means that journalists are told to just wait for a phonecall from State House which tells them what to write!
It is needed to ensure security and that upnd biased media do not report lies that can lead to instability. Also we are thankful for cyber bill as we can simply and quickly block tribal hateful platforms such as watchdog with much ease.
YOU can do nothing just a big wind bag
you always on about mentioning this and that to the president absolute nonsense according to someone close to the family
is your mandate to regulate the media or train media personnel?
where are you going to get the resources and funds to that if its not in your budget?
Training journalists to write favorably with regard to the ruling party or else their licence is withdrawn.
Waste of time ad money, IBA is a PF branch, wht are going to train the journalists? How to write favourable for the PF ad the elections?
You don’t need skills in reporting. Just report what you see and hear. No rigging!
This Man is ugly mwe
Bloody hell, this cow is ugly! Is she related to Prof Luonyokolola?
This is very patronising.
Nawina: Stop it. Don’t insult a respectable lady who has caused u no harm. There’s a limit to freedom of speech.
IS IBA MANDATED TO CONDUCT TRAININGS TO ENHANCE PROFESSIONALISM, IBA KNOW YOUR JURISDICTION OF WORK AND THE MANDATE YOU ARE GIVEN BY THE ACT OF PARLIAMENT. STOP INTIMIDATING SCHEMES.
No training is needed,just invite CNN ,SABC or BBC the job will be done without fear or favor or MV are capable of this exercise as well.
It would have been better of such resources were allocated to ZAMCOM, E Hone and other reputable institutions involved in training of journalists to IBA. There already conflict of interest one can’t a regulator trainer at same time. When it come to funding from cooperating partners every one want to jump on the goodie train.