The media in Zambia consists of the radio and television stations, newspapers, magazines, and online news sites in the country.
Early newspapers in what was then known as Northern Rhodesia served the white minority that controlled the government and the economy. In the 1950s and 60s, while the African population was clamoring for independence, the federal government owned the newspapers, radio stations, and television stations, which were used to promote the goals of the federal government.
When Zambia became independent, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation was created. Patterned after the British Broadcasting Corporation, the ZNBC was intended to be autonomous and objective, yet it quickly became an organ of the government, reporting from the perspective of the ruling party. The ZNBC broadcasts news, light entertainment, sports, religious programming, and educational radio and television.
Radio enjoys far more listeners than television does viewers, and broadcasts in English and a variety of African languages are available. Television has grown more slowly, the majority of the country's programming being in English, but with some African language shows.
In recent years, the number of privately operated newspapers, radio stations, and television stations in the country have increased. Relationships between the government and the media remain tense, but the media is freer today than it was in the first years of the country's independence. Criticism of the government is no longer a crime, and the private media has taken up the role of public watchdog.
Illiteracy, the inability to afford newspaper subscriptions, radios, television sets and, in many cases, the lack of electricity, has limited the Zambian public's access to the media.
Online news media serve the Zambian diaspora more than it does most Zambians because computers are not affordable. While there are Internet cafes and other Internet sites, most of the Zambian people can't afford the access fees or prefer to spend their funds on more basic needs.
Recommended Resources
Previously operating as Information Dispatch, established in 1999, the site was relaunched in its current format in 2007. Operated by a number of people throughout the world, the site use an open source structure to provide Zambians in Zambia, as well as its diaspora, with news relating to Zambia, sourced from other news agencies, primarily. Zambians are also invited to submit articles to the site for publication.
http://www.lusakatimes.com/
MUVI-TV is the first private commercial television station in Zambia. Established in 2002, the station broadcasts from its offices in the Mass Media Area of Lusaka, Zambia. Its location, office hours, and contacts are posted, along with a schedule of regular programming, channels, and video. Its site features news reports from Lusaka and throughout Zambia, a blog, an interactive discussion forum, and community news.
http://www.muvitv.com/
Broadcasting from Lusaka, Zambia, Radio Christian Voice reaches into central and Southern Africa, offering Christian contemporary music and other Christian programming. Its on-air programming staff are introduced, along with a schedule, synopsis, and online streaming of its regular programming, as well as podcasts of past shows. Also included is a photo gallery, contacts, and advertising opportunities.
http://www.rcvoice.co.zm/
The daily newspaper was published as The Copperbelt Times, and then the Northern News, in colonial times, when it was published twice weekly, and catering to a European readership. Headquartered in Ndola, Zambia, the newspaper is one of two papers owned by the Zambian government. Its history, organizational structure, editorial policies, advertising and subscription rates, and other products and services are highlighted, along with news, entertainment, opinion, sports, and other features.
http://www.times.co.zm/
The online news site features news and reports from throughout Zambia, as well as news analysis, political opinion, and letters to the editor, sports stories, crime reports, business and economic reports, religious topics, lifestyle issues, entertainment features, and other topics. Its terms of use, policy information, and contacts are presented. Readers may comment on published stories or submit stories for publication.
https://tumfweko.com/
The English-language newspaper is one of two newspapers owned by the government of Zambia, covering a range of topics such as national, regional, and court news and national affairs, business and economic development issues, technology reports, and sports stories, as well as official statements and press releases, entertainment, and other features. Advertising opportunities are presented.
https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/
Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation
ZNBC is operated under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, and is the oldest and largest provider of radio and television services, as well as the one with the widest coverage. With three radio channels and two television channels, ZNBC offers local, national, African and worldwide news coverage, sports programming, business and agricultural topics, health issues, entertainment, and programming aimed at promoting the country's tourist industries.
https://www.znbc.co.zm/
Presenting news from Zambia, as well as from the neighboring countries of Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, the site offers news about events, politics, and crime, business reports, economic development topics, sports and recreation, entertainment features, and strange and interesting news from the region. Photographs are posted to the site, and advertising opportunities are included.
http://zambia-times.com/
Largely focused on reporting news about the government or political parties of Zambia, including news analysis and political opinion, the site also offers reports on businesses and economic events in Zambia, sports stories, and local events, such as crime reports, school or educational news, and so on. Breaking news is highlighted, recent stories are linked from the index page, and a calendar of events is posted to the site.
http://www.zambianintelligencenews.com/
