Zambia: Amnesty International terms Prime TV’s suspension ‘unlawful’

The immediate suspension of privately owned Prime Television for 30 days by Zambia's Independent Broadcasting Authority is highly being condemned by Amnesty International, which says that it is a ploy to muzzle independent media.

The decision has been taken and implemented by Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) as Prime Television did reportedly broadcast through unbalanced coverage, opinionated news, material likely to incite violence and use of derogatory language, as said by IBA Board Secretary, Josephine Mapoma.

Amnesty International Regional Director for Southern Africa Deprose Muchena, in response to the IBA's suspension of Prime TV's licence, stated that the decision was meant to undermine the right to freedom of expression and media freedom, as reported by Zambia Reports.

"It is clearly intended to send a chilling message that journalists need to self-censor or face dire consequences. This unlawful suspension must be immediately lifted to allow Prime TV to continue telling the Zambian story as it unfolds. Zambia can only benefit from the plurality of media voices," stated Muchena in a statement issued by Amnesty International Southern Africa media manager Robert Shivambu.

Also read: Zambia: IBA suspends Prime TV, orders in-house training on basic Journalism ethics