MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ZAPD COMMENDS ZNBC TV FOR ENHANCED SIGN LANGUAGE VISIBILITY; CALLS ON PARLIAMENT TV AND OTHER BROADCASTERS TO EMULATE ACCESSIBLE MEDIA STANDARDS
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA 29th July, 2026— The Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) commends the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC TV) for significantly enlarging and improving the visibility of its sign language interpreter insert during its main news and public interest broadcasts.
This progressive step ensures that Deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens across Zambia can follow national developments with clarity, dignity and ease.
Prominent, clear and unhindered sign language interpretation on public television is not a favor; it is a fundamental right that promotes true national inclusion.
ZAPD wishes to remind all public and private media houses that full access to information is legally mandated under the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 6 of 2012. Specifically, Section 49 explicitly provides that: All television stations shall provide a sign language insert or subtitles in all newscasts and educational programmes, and in all programmes covering events of national importance.
Furthermore, with the draft National Accessibility Standards Guidelines awaiting approval by Cabinet, ZAPD expects all television stations to proactively prepare for full implementation and compliance with Section 49. Broadcasting houses should not wait for formal policy enforcement to begin adopting inclusive media practices.
In light of this statutory mandate and upcoming standards, ZAPD challenges Parliament TV to make adjustments to their sign language insert, ZANIS TV and other television broadcasters across the nation to follow ZNBC’s example.
Parliamentary debates, committee proceedings, and legislative updates directly impact the lives of all Zambians, including persons with disabilities. Obscured, overly small, or non-existent sign language inserts deprive Deaf citizens of their constitutional and statutory right to participate meaningfully in civic life.
Access to information is a key pillar of inclusive governance. ZAPD remains committed to working alongside media institutions to establish, maintain, and enforce accessibility standards that leave no one behind.
ISSUED BY:
Frankson Musukwa
Director General
Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD)