By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
THE Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has warned Muvi Television for unethical behaviour and failing to exercise good moral judgement after featuring Poor People’s Party President, Alex Muliokela.
IBA Director General, Josephine Mapoma also warned all broadcasters to exercise professionalism in view of the forthcoming general elections.
While IBA understands that each station has its own editorial independence, it will not take kindly to radio and television stations that throw caution to the wind and fail to exercise good moral judgement.
A video featuring Mr Muliokela when he featured on Muvi Television has gone viral on social media.
Commenting on this, Ms Mapoma said IBA had directed Muvi Television and all broadcasting stations to take ethical considerations seriously, regardless of whether a programme was paid for or not.
“IBA wishes to caution stations against broadcasting material, which may cause humiliation, distress and violate human dignity in accordance with Section 33 of the IBA Act of 2002, which provides the minimum professional standards for the journalism profession,” she said.
Ms Mapoma said IBA as a regulator of broadcasting stations, followed with keen interest a Muvi Television programme featuring Mr Muliokela.
The IBA, she said, had observed that such programming came as a result of broadcasting stations’ attempt to fill up space on its platforms, setting aside professional ethics and moral obligations to society
She warned that: “the IBA will not hesitate to invoke Section 29 of the IBA (Amendment) Act of 2010 which gives the Board the power to suspend, revoke or cancel any broadcasting licence issued under the Act.”
Ms Mapoma also warned that media houses to behave professional during forthcoming Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections,
“In view of the forthcoming Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections, the IBA would like to sound an early warning to all broadcasters to exercise professionalism in order to avoid contravening the law and face consequences,” she said.
