Zambia: IBA withdraws suspension-ban on Prime TV with immediate effect

The Independent Broadcasting Authority had suspended the broadcasting licence for privately owned Prime Television (Prime TV) for 30 days for ‘exhibiting unprofessional elements in its broadcasting’. Now Independent Broadcasting Authority has lifted the ban on Prime TV with immediate effect.

Prime TV is set to resume broadcasting tomorrow midnight after staying banned for 30 days accused of biased news coverage. The lifting of Prime TV’s broadcasting Licence has been done six days ahead of the expiry of the 30 days suspension.

According to the Secretary of Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), Josephine Mapoma, the Authority is pleased to note that Prime TV conducted the training and in addition the Station invited the Authority to train the reporters on its mandate and other relevant sections of the IBA Act, as reported by Lusaka Times.

She further opined that the channel, in lifting the suspension, has been tasked to engage experts as news analysts and ensure that analysis is based on objectivity, facts and use of appropriate language. She also expressed disappointment with the management of Prime TV in the manner they conducted themselves following the suspension of the station since they continued to broadcast for a further five hours after receiving and acknowledging the letter of suspension.

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