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Alert

Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation suspends employees after broadcast of "indecent" movie

(MISA/IFEX) - The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) has suspended its acting director of programmes, Ben Kangwa, for one month, and another employee, Ignatius Sibetta, over the broadcast of "Unshackled", an African film featuring a man addicted to masturbation. The movie was broadcast by ZNBC on 3 August 2004.

On 12 August, ZNBC Acting Director General Joseph Salasini informed "The Post" newspaper of the suspensions. He said that although Kangwa did not air the film, as acting director of programmes he was responsible for all programmes. Salasini said key issues were raised on programming that had forced management to evaluate the system.

"We deeply regret the lapse which led to the transmission of that film. That's not what ZNBC does. It has [taken away from us] substantial value, resources and respect," he said.

The decision to suspend Kangwa comes barely a week after he apologised on behalf of ZNBC for the film. In his apology, Kangwa said the programme was "unscheduled" and admittedly failed to live up to the high standards of decency and taste the national broadcaster had set for itself.

"This, however, was not intentional but an unfortunate incidence arising from failure by a section of staff to abide by broadcast procedures," he said in a 5 August statement.

After it was aired, the programme was criticised and condemned by the government and members of the public.

Aubrey Chindefu, a Lusaka resident, described the film's broadcast as "pathetic and immoral on the part of this national television [station,] to exhibit such immaturity of judgment and professional ethics to the public."

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister and Chief Government Spokesperson Mutale Nalumango also condemned the screening of the film.

"That was a terrible incident and such films should not show their ugly heads on screen again. It was a very, very unfortunate action. That was a lapse on the part of ZNBC and on behalf of the corporation and the ministry, I apologise for what happened. I asked for a report and, as I speak, I have it on my table. We can't allow that to happen," said Nalumango.

Nalumango was responding to a caller on ZNBC's Radio 2 early morning programme "Government Forum" who complained about the film.

In addition to showing "indecent" scenes, "Unshackled" portrayed a religious leader about to prescribe a religious solution. The broadcast was stopped after nearly 10 minutes on air.