UPND defends rejection of Hot FM congratulatory message
UPND defends rejection of Hot FM congratulatory message
UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe has defended the party’s decision to reject a congratulatory message from Hot FM following President Hakainde Hichilema’s victory in the 2026 general election.
Lusaka, 11 September – Speaking on Crown TV’s Spotlight programme, Mr Simuuwe said the decision was not a rejection of the radio station’s goodwill, but a response to what the party considers unfair treatment by the media house during the election campaign.
He said the UPND could not accept congratulations from a media organisation that, in the party’s view, had previously denied it fair access to its platforms for political advertising.
“Stability must be founded on sincerity. It is not accountability if there is no sincerity,” Mr Simuuwe said.
“You cannot have one media house refuse the UPND at one point, and then the next minute come in to congratulate us.”
Mr Simuuwe alleged that Hot FM had declined to run UPND campaign advertisements despite the party meeting conditions set by the station.
He also raised concerns about the way callers associated with different political parties were allegedly treated during programmes on the station.
He claimed that different contact numbers were provided to supporters of the Patriotic Front (PF) and NRPUP for call-ins, while UPND supporters allegedly experienced difficulties getting through.
“From the media background I have, I can tell the difference in terms of the sound. This one is plugged into the console directly. Try to connect, they bring us one, try to call, nothing,” he said.
Mr Simuuwe said the party had attempted to engage media organisations in good faith throughout the campaign but found it increasingly difficult to secure airtime on Hot FM.
He contrasted the station’s conduct with that of other media organisations which congratulated the president and were not subjected to the same criticism.
“Imagine if Crown TV, Zambian TV wrote and said congratulations. That is fine,” he said.
“But here is the evidence to show where the people right up the hill of the institution are now the ones exchanging words to the political party on what should be voted for.”
Mr Simuuwe said the role of the media was to provide information and give competing political voices an opportunity to be heard, rather than become participants in political contests.
“If a media becomes a political party, that is the problem. The job of the media is not to be newsmakers,” he said.
He maintained that the UPND had internal guidelines governing its engagement with media organisations and that rejecting the congratulatory message was consistent with those guidelines.
“We can’t accept this message and it is within our right,” he said.
Mr Simuuwe argued that media organisations that give political figures or parties a platform should also provide space for opposing views to ensure fairness.
He stressed, however, that the decision did not mean the UPND was opposed to dialogue with Hot FM or other media organisations.
“Frank talk does not kill friendship. We must be sincere with one another,” he said.
“When wrong things are being done, we must speak out.”
The UPND Media Director said the party’s concerns should therefore be considered on their merits rather than dismissed simply because Hot FM had extended congratulations following the election.
-Nkanionline 2026 #NewsOnDemand