The Independent Broadcasting Authority has with immediate effect suspended the broadcasting license for Lutanda Radio Station in Northern Province for 30 days after the station aired a story with the potential to promote hate speech.

IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma says the aired story had potential to put the peace and security of the nation at risk.

Ms Mapoma says the decision to suspend the license was arrived at today during the emergency IBA Board meeting.

Briefing the media this afternoon, Ms Mapoma says IBA found Radio Lutanda to have breached the airing of a programme deemed to promote tribalism and hate speech, failure to moderate a programme and failure to follow guidelines provided for a Religious Broadcasting Stations.

On 12th November, 2019 the Authority followed a breaking story that alleged that Lutanda radio in Kasama was promoting tribalism on air.

This prompted the Authority to investigate the matter further and obtained soundbites of the programme.

“After conducting its investigations and analysing the recordings, the Authority found the following breaches: I. Airing a program deemed to promote tribalism and hate speech. The guests together with the presenter of the program were mentioning individual names (Hakainde Hichilema) and a particular ethnic group (Tongas) by passing derogatory, demeaning and tribal remarks likely to result into disorder and disrupt the peace of the public,” Ms. Mapoma said.

“This was in breach of Section 33 of the Principal IBA Act of 2002 which stipulates that …… ‘’every licensed broadcasting service, shall develop a code of professional standards which shall have respect for human dignity and rights and freedoms, and contribution to the tolerance of different opinions and belief.”

Ms. Mapoma said, “In addition, the station was deemed to have breached the provision of the IBA Act which discourages programming that can threaten the public safety, security, peace, welfare or good order.”

“The Authority also found that the Station had violated Regulation No. 3.2.1 of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which states: material likely to encourage or incite the commission of crime or to lead to disorder must not be included in broadcasting services.”

“Furthermore, the Station could not adhere to its own developed code of Practice/Ethical guidelines which state that ‘’every person is created in the image of God and as such, has value in his/her own right. In addition, the station discourages hate speech and encourages the promotion of the One Zambia One Nation motto. It also has a guideline on callers which prohibits any caller from using hate speech or bad language’’.

“II. Failure to the moderate a programme
The Authority found that the moderator appeared to be perpetuating the discussion based on tribe instead of curtailing the debate. III. Failure to follow guidelines provided for a Religious Broadcasting Station. The Station aired a political program which is not in line with the License category which is a violation of the provision of the IBA Act. The IBA ACT has stipulated the type of content expected to be broadcast by a Religious Radio Station.”

She said the suspension has been done under Section 29 (1) (J) of the IBA Amendment Act of 2010 which prescribes that the ‘’Board may cancel a broadcasting licence if the cancelation is necessary in the interest of peace and security, welfare or good order’’.

“In addition, it has also been done under Section 29 (1) (k) of the IBA Amendment Act of 2010 which provides that, ‘The Board may suspend a broadcasting licence if it considers it appropriate in the circumstances of the case to do so.”

She said Lutanda Radio may appeal against the decision of the IBA Board to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services within 30 days pursuant to section 31(1) of the IBA Amendment Act of 2010 which provides that ‘’a person who is aggrieved with the decision of the Board under this part may appeal to the Minister within 30 days’’.

“During the suspension, the Station is expected to engage qualified and professional staff, conduct in -house training on basic journalism ethics, programme moderation skills, script writing and ethical broadcasting.”

“The Authority wishes to appeal to all broadcast stations to be careful in the way they handle programmes. Broadcast stations must operate in accordance with the existing broadcasting regulations and guidelines. Further, the Authority also wishes to appeal to members of the public and guests of stations to be mindful of their speech on air, as not doing so may have serious consequences for broadcast stations.”

Years following the events of “The Shining,” a now-adult Dan Torrance must protect a young girl with similar powers from a cult known as The True Knot, who feed off the shine of innocents in their quest for immortality.

PROS

• Good performance by the whole cast ,especially 13 year old Kyliegh Curran ( Abra Stone) who was exceptional.
• There is great on-screen chemistry between Kyliegh Curran (Abra Stone) and Ewan McGregor (Dan Torrance).
• Interesting easy to follow storyline.
• Great character development.

CONS

• The pace of the movie was slow at times.
• Some references to “The Shinning” may be lost to viewers who have not watched the 1980’s horror film.

FAVORITE QUOTE

Rose the Hat: -“Live long. Eat well,”

Abra Stone: “You’re magic. Like me”

Dan Torrance: “I don’t know about magic. I, I always called it ‘the shining.'”

CONCLUSION

Doctor Sleep is a sequel to the 1980 classic horror movie ‘The Shining‘. It takes place decades after the events of the first movie. The good part is that even if you haven’t watch ‘The Shining’ (..which i recommend you do) you will still be able to follow ‘Doctor Sleep’.

Doctor Sleep is movie of three acts; the first is rather slow as the characters are introduced and the relationships among them form. The second is when the story really gets going and the exciting plot is reviled, the third and final act is the big glorious pay off.

The real star of this movie was 13 year old actress Kyliegh Curran who played the role of Abra Stone. She handled the dramatic and emotional scenes perfectly. Another standout performance was Rebecca Ferguson as she portrayed the captivating, villainous character Rose the Hat.

Doctor Sleep is less of a horror and more of a fantasy/drama. It thankfully trades in cheap scare tactics and gore (though is plenty of ‘redrum’ to go around) for great character development and storytelling ,It does have some pretty intense/shocking moments involving Rose the Hat’s gypsy/vampire-like cult as they go in search of the ‘shine’.

RATING

3 out of 5

By Kapa Kaumba

Vice President Inonge Wina says some political elements are influencing some Chiefs in Western Province to revolt against the Litunga and the government.

Responding to Mitete UPND Member of Parliament Misheck Mutelo, who questioned whether government recognised Chiefs Chiengele, Mwene Mutondo and Kahare who recently visited state house, Mrs Wina said the Chiefs came to state House to seek protection from threats on their lives due to succession disputes.

Mrs Wina said the Litunga has powers to preside over the installation and not to choose traditional leaders and President Lungu did not promise to install them as chiefs.

She said such questions are based on machinations to create divisions between the government and the Barotse Royal Establishment.

Mrs Wina said some of the observations by the UPND are not well intended as President Edgar Lungu has no power to install Chiefs.

She reiterated that the three chiefs were at State House to seek protection and was not asking to be recognised by the President.

Mrs Wina said government will continue playing its role of protecting Zambians regardless of their affiliation in society.

She said the disputes over succession is not government’s business and will leave it to the families of the affected people to choose while the Litunga will endorse the appointed people.

Vice President Inonge Wina has expressed ignorance over the alleged failure by the Zambian Government to procure a VIP Passanger Jet from Russia due to lack of Funds to pay for the aircraft.

Mrs Wina says she is not aware of any failed deal for the procurement of a VIP Passanger Jet from Russia due to lack of Funds to pay for the aircraft.

The Vice President also expressed Ignorant of the alleged millions of dollars the Zambian government has paid as advance payment for the aircraft.

Mrs Wina was responding to Zambezi East Member of Parliament Brian Kambita during the Vice President’s question time who wanted to know when government will get a refund for the failed deal in order to channel it to road infrastructure in his constituency.

According to media reports, Zambia will no longer be receiving a Sukhoi Superjet 100 VIP passenger jet from Russia as it lacks the funds to pay for the aircraft said Russia’s Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov.

“In Africa, for example, we signed a contract for the supply of a VIP version of the SSJ 100 [SuperJet] to Zambia. But in Zambia, besides the advance payment, there were no funds to finance this aircraft, so the contract has been frozen,” Manturov said.

In July 2017 it was reported that Zambia had ordered five SuperJets from Russia.

Subsequent media reports stated that Sukhoi would only supply a single VIP-configured SuperJet for President Edgar Lungu, after earlier reports suggested four SuperJets would be acquired for the relaunch of Zambia Airways.

Diocese of Mongu Bishop Evans Chinyemba has welcomed the commitment by UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema to dialogue with President Edgar Lungu.

Bishop Chinyemba has however encouraged Mr Hichilema to first meet up with President Lungu and agree on what issues require them to dialogue.

The clergyman said dialogue is a two way thing and the two leaders will however need to find a mediate the dialogue.

The UPND Leader requested that President Edgar Lungu avails himself for dialogue with him at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka next week.

Mr Hichilema tweeted that: “we must do everything in our power to ensure we put an end to political violence and other ills affecting our nation.

“I hereby request @EdgarCLungu to come to the table and dialogue for the benefit of our country. I propose next week at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. #Zambia,” he said.

In a consequent tweet, Hichilema reiterated that Zambians wanted dialogue and that: “we must make it happen!”

“I am not concerned about swallowing my pride in pushing for amicable dialogue with @EdgarCLungu,” Hichilema said.

“It is our hope that he responds so that we can chart a new course that fosters peace and democracy.”

But the Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Mwila says if the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was serious about dialogue, he should have written to the PF Secretariat.

Mr Mwila stated that the PF has always been willing to dialogue but that Mr. Hichilema has always found excuses with conditions.

He indicated that Mr. Hichilema can NOT summon the Head of State who is also President of the ruling Patriotic Front for a meeting through the media.