02/09/2026
STATEMENT BY UPND MEDIA DIRECTOR MARK SIMUUWE ON HOT FM’S CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT HICHILEMA
The UPND Media Directorate has taken note of the congratulatory message issued by Hot FM Management to President Hakainde Hichilema following the August 13, 2026 General Elections. While we acknowledge the message, we find it difficult to regard it as genuine given Hot FM’s conduct and editorial posture throughout the electoral period.
From the commencement of the campaign period, there was hardly any opportunity for the UPND to present its programmes, policies, achievements and message to the public through Hot FM in a fair and balanced manner. Instead, the station became a consistent platform for programmes and commentary that were largely hostile to the UPND and its leadership.
Of particular concern was Hot FM’s repeated refusal to carry UPND advertisements, including advertisements featuring President Hakainde Hichilema and highlighting the Government’s development record. On several occasions, we were informed that the station had no available advertising space. Yet, at the same time, members and representatives of the Tonse/Pamodzi Alliance were given extensive and continuous opportunities to feature on the station, including on daily programmes.
As Media Director, I personally experienced this imbalance. On numerous occasions, when members of the Tonse/Pamodzi Alliance were featured on morning programmes, attempts by the UPND to secure comparable opportunities to respond or present our position were unsuccessful. We were therefore compelled to seek space on other platforms, such as 5FM, to respond to issues raised on Hot FM.
This was not an isolated incident. It reflected what we considered to be a sustained pattern throughout the campaign and election period.
Even more concerning is that, following the elections, Hot FM continued carrying discussions and messages challenging the credibility of the election results and creating an impression that the elections may have been rigged. If such allegations are being advanced, we believe those making them should be prepared to substantiate them with credible evidence.
The media has a critical responsibility in a democracy. Political parties may compete for power, but the media must remain committed to fairness, balance, accuracy and professional ethics. Unfortunately, our experience with Hot FM during this election period fell considerably short of these standards.
In our view, Hot FM ceased to operate purely as an independent media platform and, on several occasions, appeared to position itself as an active participant in the political contest rather than an impartial platform for public discourse. This is deeply concerning because the credibility of the media depends on its ability to provide fair access to competing political voices and to distinguish between reporting, analysis, commentary and political advocacy.
It is against this background that we consider the recent congratulatory message to President Hichilema to be, at best, deeply ironic and, at worst, a mockery of the very political process in which the station played such a partisan role.
What we expected from Hot FM, instead of a congratulatory message, was an acknowledgment of the concerns arising from its conduct during the campaign period and, where appropriate, an apology to the UPND and its supporters for the manner in which the station handled political coverage.
We remain committed to a professional, responsible and inclusive media environment in Zambia. We believe every political party, regardless of whether it is in government or opposition, deserves a fair opportunity to communicate with citizens.
As UPND, we have no difficulty with robust scrutiny or legitimate criticism of Government. What we reject is selective access, political imbalance and the use of media platforms to advance narratives against one political side while denying that side a reasonable opportunity to respond.
We therefore urge Hot FM Management and all media houses to reflect on their role in our democracy and recommit themselves to the principles of fairness, balance, professionalism and responsible journalism.
Issued by:
Mark Simuuwe
Media Director
United Party for National Development (UPND)
