R 260743Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6304
INFO SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS LUSAKA 000949 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KMDR ZA
SUBJECT:  Zambian Government(GRZ) bans radio phone-in political 
programs 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY: Just as Zambia prepares for an October 30, 2008 
presidential election, parties are jockeying for any media 
advantages they can get, the GRZ banned radio stations from 
conducting live phone-in programs.  The ban, citing unbalanced and 
unfair coverage of political parties, is supposed to last through 
the entire election season.  The move has thus far met with defiance 
from radio stations and criticism from professional media bodies. 
The GRZ implemented the ban soon after private radio station, Q FM, 
had two consecutive programs featuring ruling party members who came 
under heavy criticism by callers. END SUMMARY 
 
¶2. In a statement on Friday, September 19, 2008 [but dated September 
12, 2008] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services 
permanent secretary Emmanuel Nyirenda directed all commercial and 
community radio stations to stop airing phone-in programs during the 
election period. Nyirenda observed that some radio stations had 
political programs which provided unbalanced and unfair coverage of 
political parties. He stated that stations needed to use special 
technology which would allow for calls to be screened.  Few, if any, 
stations in Zambia would be able to purchase such equipment anytime 
soon. 
 
¶3. The government ban has been perceived as an attempt to undermine 
media freedom and freedom of expression of citizens. The directive 
is seen as an attempt to quell urban support for opposition 
political parties, particularly the Patriotic Front (PF) and United 
Party for National Development (UPND). Featuring PF and UPND 
opposition leaders on live phone-in programs has previously been a 
fairly typical tactic to launch attacks on the ruling party. 
Clearly the ruling MMD party sees these programs as a legitimate 
threat. 
 
¶4. Q FM and others have defied the ban, vowing to carry on with 
their popular phone-in programs. Q FM Managing director Asan Nyama 
said the station would not be intimidated by the government.  On 
September 23, 2008, media associations spoke out against the ban in 
a communiqu calling upon radio stations to ignore the government 
directive and continue normal programming. The communiqu, which was 
signed by seven local media bodies, said "the Ministry of 
Information and Broadcasting Services must desist from issuing 
statements that threaten to undermine media freedom and freedom of 
expression of citizens." 
 
¶5.  Comment.  The ban seems pointed directly at Lusaka-based Q FM, 
which has stood out in providing live coverage of political events 
in Zambia. In the run-up to the 2006 general elections, the station 
was threatened by government police while broadcasting live during 
polling. With the current collective stand to ignore the government 
ban, it will be interesting to see what measures the government will 
take against QerringQ radio stations as the presidential by-election 
draws closer. The GRZ has over the years exercised intolerance with 
community radio stations countrywide for featuring opposition 
political parties. End comment. 
 
KOPLOVSKY