The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia has urged media regulators to strengthen enforcement of broadcasting standards amid growing concern over explicit entertainment content and its impact on children and family values.
In a statement issued May 13, the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia, known as EFZ, expressed concern over what it described as the increasing spread of “immoral, explicit, and indecent material” across media platforms in Zambia, particularly within the music and entertainment industry.
“Of alarming concern is the sharp increase in content that promotes lifestyles and behaviors inconsistent with Zambia’s cultural and Christian values, which erode family values and remain widely accessible to minors,” said the statement, which was signed by Rev. Allan Kasungami, executive director of EFZ.
The organization said it had formally engaged the Independent Broadcasting Authority, or IBA, and the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority, known as ZICTA, over concerns about harmful media content and the protection of minors.
EFZ said the discussions focused on strengthening content standards, improving classification and monitoring systems, and ensuring children are protected before harmful material is broadcast or distributed online.
The concerns raised by the church body come amid growing public debate in Zambia over sexually suggestive music videos and online entertainment content circulating on television and social media platforms.
One recent controversy involved criticism surrounding Zambian musician Yo Maps and his “Budget” music video, which sparked online debate over whether local entertainment content is becoming increasingly explicit and unsuitable for younger audiences.
Earlier this month, the IBA issued guidance reminding broadcasters to exercise editorial responsibility when airing musical content. The regulator urged broadcasters to ensure that content complies with existing broadcasting standards and reflects public interest considerations.
EFZ Board Vice Chairperson Bishop Joshua Banda later reiterated the organization’s concerns during a meeting with the IBA held under the theme “Strengthening Broadcast Standards for the Protection of Minors and the Family Unit.”
Speaking during the meeting, Banda said Zambia needed stronger enforcement of existing standards rather than relying only on reactive measures after harmful content had already been circulated.
“There is a gap that needs to be addressed, we need to be proactive and not reactive and there should be positive surveillance to ensure content creators and producers are guided on the kind of content they put out,” Banda said.
Regulating moral values
Banda, who also serves as presiding bishop for Northmead Assemblies of God, said the church supports freedom of expression and creativity among young content creators, but stressed the importance of preserving moral values that strengthen families and communities.
He also called on the IBA to ensure broadcasters provide clear disclaimers and content classifications relating to violence, sexual content, language and other sensitive material so that parents and guardians can make informed viewing decisions.
“The Church is recommending advertising restrictions on products that are harmful for minors during general viewing times,” Banda said.
EFZ further proposed the introduction of standardized decency guidelines instead of allowing individual media houses to classify their own content independently.
According to the church body, the current system creates inconsistencies and loopholes in interpretation.
The organization grounded its appeal in Zambia’s constitutional framework, citing Article 8 of the Constitution, which identifies morality and ethics among national values, and Article 11, which provides for the protection of young persons from exploitation.
“We are encouraged by the recent address by H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting families in raising a God-fearing and productive society,” EFZ said in its statement.
The organization said children remain highly impressionable and warned that prolonged exposure to age-inappropriate content could negatively affect their mental development and overall well-being.
The debate over media standards in Zambia also comes amid broader national efforts to address online child safety.
Zambia launched the National Child Online Protection Strategy 2025-2029 through collaboration involving ZICTA, government agencies and UNICEF. The initiative focuses on strengthening digital literacy, addressing harmful online content and improving protections for children in digital spaces.
EFZ said corporations, advertisers and brand sponsors also have a role to play by avoiding sponsorship of content considered harmful to minors and instead supporting programming that promotes social cohesion and positive development.
“Zambia’s values emphasize decency and the protection of the vulnerable,” the organization said.
The fellowship said it remains committed to working constructively with authorities and media stakeholders to promote responsible broadcasting practices while awaiting formal feedback from regulators on the concerns it has raised.
The developments reflect an increasing conversation in Zambia over the balance between creative freedom, public morality and the protection of children in an expanding digital media environment where entertainment content spreads rapidly across both traditional broadcasting and social media platforms.
