The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) is the oldest and most extensive broadcaster in Zambia, offering the widest radio and television reach in the country. It operates three radio stations and four television channels, playing a central role in shaping public discourse and information access across Zambia.
Media assets
Television: ZNBC TV1, ZNBC TV2, ZNBC TV3, ZNBC TV4
Radio: ZNBC Radio1, ZNBC Radio2, ZNBC Radio4
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
ZNBC is a state-owned statutory body established under the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation Act. The Ministry of Information and Media—renamed from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services following the August 2021 general elections—exercises direct oversight over the broadcaster. The ministry holds the power to appoint and dismiss members of ZNBC’s board.
In February 2022, a new board was appointed in accordance with legal provisions, marking an attempt by the incoming administration to breathe new life into the institution and address longstanding concerns around governance and editorial independence. Berry Lwando serves as the Director General (CEO) of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. He was appointed to this position by the ZNBC board.
Source of funding and budget
ZNBC’s financial architecture rests largely on state subsidies, complemented in theory by revenue from public license fees and commercial advertising. In practice, however, the broadcaster remains heavily dependent on government bailouts to stay afloat.
Transparent data on ZNBC’s financial flows is notably absent, with successive audits failing to shed light on the corporation’s exact income and expenditure. With Zambia grappling with persistent budget deficits, the government has struggled to keep the broadcaster’s operations solvent. ZNBC has, for several years, failed to generate meaningful revenue streams from advertising or other commercial activities.
In November 2021, a senior government official admitted that ZNBC had not turned a profit “for many years.” Mounting debts—owed to both domestic suppliers and foreign partners—have pushed the broadcaster to the brink. At times, the organization has even been unable to meet basic obligations such as staff salaries.
ZNBC’s operations have been underpinned by a web of foreign loans and grants, most prominently from China. The Exim Bank of China extended a controversial loan for infrastructure development, which the Zambian government has reportedly been repaying through taxpayer-funded license fees—a move that sparked criticism from civil society groups and transparency advocates.
ZNBC’s 2024 approved budget was ZMW 43.7 million (US$ 1.67 million). The treasury released ZMW 31.1 million, which indicates a shortfall of 29%, according to data provided by the Zambian government.
As of mid-2025, ZNBC is mired in a deep financial crisis, with its continued operation hinging almost entirely on government disbursements.
Editorial independence
Although there are no explicit legal mandates requiring ZNBC to broadcast pro-government content, the broadcaster has long been criticized for toeing the ruling party’s line—particularly during the Patriotic Front (PF) administration. This lack of independence has undermined public trust in the institution.
In the aftermath of the 2021 elections, the newly elected United Party for National Development (UPND) government launched a reform initiative to reposition ZNBC as a genuine public service broadcaster. Minister of Information and Media Chushi Kasanda enlisted the support of BBC Media Action to spearhead the reform process, promising a future where editorial independence would be protected.
Nonetheless, tangible progress remains slow. While ZNBC introduced editorial guidelines in 2014 intended to insulate content from political interference, in practice, these rules have not curbed governmental overreach. The current administration has pledged to reinforce and operationalize these safeguards as part of the ongoing reforms.
Though ZNBC maintains a public relations office to receive complaints from audiences, there is still no independent oversight mechanism to monitor or guarantee editorial independence—leaving the broadcaster vulnerable to political pressure.
June 2025