Top news items of Zambian major media outlets

The following are the highlights of Zambia's major media outlets on Friday.

--Authorities in Zambia have intercepted trucks laden with about 2,000 tons of maize in a smuggling syndicate in Chipata district, east of the country.

Chipata District Commissioner Kalunga Zulu said the trucks were intercepted while offloading the grain from the state-run Food Reserve Agency onto train wagons destined for unnamed neighboring countries.

Zambia has witnessed an increase in maize smuggling following a shortage of the commodity in some neighboring countries due to poor harvests. (TIMES OF ZAMBIA).

-- An institution that regulates the broadcasting industry in Zambia has urged radio and television stations to be impartial in their coverage of political parties before, during and after the August 11 general elections.

The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) said broadcasting stations and media personnel should provide equal coverage of all political players.

There have been attacks on the media by political party supporters on allegations of biasness. (ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL)

-- Zambia's only female presidential contender in this year's elections said she was the front runner and will not need to be any presidential candidate's running mate.

Edith Nawakwi, leader of the opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) said recent reports that she has been groveling to be incumbent President Edgar Lungu's running mate in the August elections were not true but meant to distract the party's mobilization program. (DAILY NATION) Endit