US and EU Call For Reopening Of Prime TV

The governments of the United States and the European Union have called on Zambia to immediately reopen Prime TV, after the Independent Broadcasting Association (IBA) rescinded the TV station’s broadcasting license last month.

The US government called on the IBA to reverse its decision on Prime’s license, with the Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Robert Destro advocating the importance of a free press in a functioning democracy.

He wrote on Twitter: “We are troubled by the Independent Broadcasting Authority’s decision to revoke Prime TV’s license. A Free Press is vital to democracy, especially during a pandemic, to share reliable, accurate and timely info”. 

Taking advantage of World Press Freedom Day on Sunday, Mr Destro continued that “A free and impartial press asks questions and seeks answers on behalf of society. The media inform the public and help share ideas, which improves social, political, and economic stability.”

Similarly the European Union has encouraged all stakeholders in Zambia to work towards a solution so that Prime might resume broadcasting as soon as possible.

The EU’s ambassador to Zambia, Jacek Jankowski, restated the EU delegation’s support for independent journalism in Zambia. 

On 9th April the IBA rescinded Prime TV’s broadcasting license, claiming that it was “in the interest of public safety, security, peace, welfare or good order”.

The decision followed a falling out between the broadcaster and government, with many commentators suspecting that the order to retract Prime’s license came from within the Ministry of Information.

On Tuesday, the IBA recanted their initial statement, claiming that Prime’s license had only been cancelled because it was expired. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga said that Prime would simply have to apply for a new license.