PF Continue To Intimidate Media Houses, Threaten Freedom Of Expression

The Patriotic Front (PF) government continue to intimidate media houses in the country by threatening them with legal action in the run up to the August 12 general election.

PF Secretary General Davies Mwila has threatened to take legal action against a number of media houses, including Flava FM and Diamond TV, after the government enforced seemingly restrictive contracts onto the media houses.

Mr Mwila said that he plans to sue the stations for “failing to adhere to an advertising agreement” signed in March.

However, Mwila’s threats are empty as the contracts which were signed did not agree dates or times for PF advertising. Subsequently, their requests for time slots on the eve of the election have been rejected as other organisations have already purchased them.

Nonetheless, the PF continue to issue the stations with threats.

“Should we not receive confirmation [of time slot blocking] within 24 hours from the date of receipt of this letter, we shall proceed to institute the relevant legal proceedings against you, including, but not limited to, reporting the extortion conduct indicated above to the relevant regulators,” Mr Mwila threatened.

The PF Secretary General also attempted to issue an addendum to the original contract, in an attempt to threaten freedom of speech by other political parties on these media outlets as it would restrict the media stations to only airing PF-related news during specific time periods.