UK Minister for Africa Condones Closure of Prime TV

The UK’s Minister for Africa, Harriett Baldwin has noted that the UK FCO are concerned by the Zambian government’s actions to suspend privately run Prime TV.

The Minister noted that the closure of Prime TV is evidence that freedom of expression and the media are under direct threat from the Government. A concerning situation given Zambia had a promising democratic record up until now.

The UK is not the first Western government to enter into the Prime debate, with both the US and EU raising concerns over the situation.

Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji last week announced that he will convene a meeting with all western donors that have raised concerns over the suspension of Muvi TV in order to furnish them with the details behind the action.