Prime TV fights 30-day ban

Prime TV has appealed against the controversial 30-day suspension of its broadcast license by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA).

But Prime TV owner Gerald Shawa, in his appeal letter addressed to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya, has stated that the suspension is not the only remedy available to address what the IBA termed as unprofessional practice by the local TV channel.

He further stated that there were immediate economic effects on the broadcast institution that would result fromthe IBA’s decision.

Shawa has since requested the Minister to review the IBA’s action and reduce it to a warning with specific guidelines as has been the practice with other institutions before.

The suspension of Prime TV’s broadcast license has attracted widespread condemnation from both local and international entities, with the United States Embassy in Lusaka being one of the latest to voice out its concerns.

The embassy says in a statement that the fundamental freedoms of speech and the press are critical for the advancement of a vibrant democracy.

It says the United States government finds the suspension of Prime TV’s license counterproductive to upholding these principles, and encourages an urgent reconsideration of the suspension.