IBA wields axe over Kabwe’s Cloud FM radio
By George Zulu
PRIVATE owned Cloud FM radio station of Kabwe District in the Central Province is at the verge of closure by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA).
IBA has accused the station of exhibiting unprofessional conduct.
In the letter it has written to Cloud FM Radio, IBA accuses the critical radio station of contravening provisions of the law that governs broadcasting and programming.
“The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has cautioned Cloud FM Radio of Kabwe for contravening provisions of the IBA Act and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which require all broadcasting content to be fair, impartial, responsible and respectful of human dignity,” acting director general Susan Ndumingu said.
Ndumingu said the authority had observed poor management of programme moderation aimed at inciting violence and promoting hatred.
“The authority has, however, acknowledged and commended the station for instances in which it promptly halted live broadcasting statements which had the potential to cause harm, incite violence, hatred, or public disorder,” she stated.
“The caution follows comprehensive monitoring of the station’s content during which the IBA observed multiple instances of poor programme moderation, bias and emotionally charged content that failed to meet the required journalistic and ethical standards, particularly in its News Analysis and Cutting-Edge programmes.”
Ndumingu highlighted what IBA described as key breaches including “failure to guide and moderate callers and guests during live programmes. Airing of unsubstantiated and emotionally charged claims. Deliberate skewing of discussions, compromising neutrality. Technical shortcomings during call-in segments”.
She said IBA had directed Cloud FM Radio to submit a corrective action report within seven days and to immediately align its programming with the provisions of the IBA Act 2010.
Ndumingu said the IBA remained committed to promoting ethical and responsible broadcasting that safeguarded public peace, security and the integrity of the media landscape.
