Independent Broadcasting Authority of Zambia’s (IBA) Director: Standards, Licensing and Compliance, Eustace Nkandu, recently participated in a panel discussion “The Role Of Regulators In Ensuring Fair Competition Within The African Markets”. This was during the recently concluded online forum on “Content Distribution Platforms And OTT Streaming Services”.
Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) asked Mr Nkandu to share Zambia’s frameworks aimed at promoting local content in order to combat local content piracy. In responding to the request, Nkandu shared the regulatory model adopted in Zambia. “Its focus is on quotas to ensure that local content creators get an opportunity for their craft to be consumed by local audiences”. According to Nkandu, Zambia has implemented a 30 per cent local content quota model. Within the 30 per cent, 40 per cent of the local content needs to be from independent producers.
In hindsight, Eustace also shared challenges raised by broadcasters in the experience of buying local content. According to these broadcasters, local content commissioning is low due to local producers’ pricing and lack of flexibility compared to international commissioning. Therefore, he advised the local industry to exercise flexibility for the betterment of the broadcasting landscape.
The video clip on Eustace Nkandu expanding on Zambia’s “Frameworks Aimed At Promoting Local Content To Combat Local Content Piracy” can be Accessed Here!