Claim
A Facebook page identified as Lily Mutamz TV published a post on 17 June 2026 alleging that Prime TV had been offered K5 million to speak negatively about Mr. Brian Mundubile, the Tonse Alliance presidential candidate in Zambia’s August 2026 General Elections.
Editorial Note: In line with responsible fact-checking practices and to avoid amplifying potentially harmful misinformation, iVerify Zambia has intentionally not reproduced or linked to the original post.
Verdict: False
iVerify Zambia has determined that the claim is false.
No evidence has been presented to support the allegation that Prime TV was offered K5 million, or any other amount, to carry out negative coverage of Mr. Brian Mundubile. The broadcaster has categorically denied the claim.
How We Verified
To verify the claim, iVerify Zambia contacted Prime TV and interviewed Mr. Paul Shingongo, a part of the station’s leadership team who serves as an anchor of one of the station’s programmes focusing on governance and political affairs.
Mr. Shingongo stated that:
- Prime TV has not received the alleged K5 million or any other payment intended to influence coverage of Mr. Brian Mundubile;
- The station has not entered into any arrangement to conduct negative reporting against any political actor; and
- Prime TV remains committed to editorial independence and professional journalistic standards.
iVerify also checked various platforms for documentary evidence that could substantiate the claim. There is no documentary evidence, financial records, credible sources, or public statements substantiating the allegation. Under accepted fact-checking standards, extraordinary allegations require verifiable evidence. In this case, no such evidence has been provided.
Rating Justification
The claim relies solely on an unsubstantiated assertion published on social media. No evidence has been produced to demonstrate that Prime TV was offered or received K5 million to influence its editorial content. In contrast, the broadcaster directly refuted the allegation and reaffirmed its commitment to independent journalism. In the absence of verifiable evidence supporting the claim, iVerify Zambia rates it as False.
Conclusion
There is no evidence to support the claim that Prime TV was offered K5 million to malign Tonse Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile. Prime TV is one of Zambia’s leading private television stations and serves as an important platform for political discourse and public debate in the country. Prime TV has categorically denied the allegation, and no independently verifiable information has been found to substantiate it. False or misleading claims targeting media institutions can erode public trust and heighten political tensions, particularly during election periods. As Zambia approaches the August 2026 General Elections, members of the public are encouraged to verify information through credible sources before sharing or accepting it as true.
