Increasing use of regulatory bodies to stifle press freedom in Zambia

IT is worrying that the Zambian government is increasingly using statutory sector regulatory bodies to stifle freedom of the press in Zambia and gag media houses that promote open discussion on issues of public interest.
On 13 June 2014 it was reported that the Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority ZICTA had with immediate effect revoked the Frequency for Mpika Community Radio Station and confiscated the transmitter.
Earlier in the month the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), was involved in the altercation, with HOT FM over a live breakfast show that discussed the issue of the President's health. This matter was eventually resolved with the arbitration of MISA Zambia with no obligation for the station to apologise as earlier directed by the statutory body.
In the case of Mpika FM Radio, they lost their equipment when they tried to explain to ZICTA that they have not been paid for the Sim Registration adverts that were aired in December 2013. Mpika FM also tried to convince ZICTA that the money that is owed to them should be directed towards license fees and Mpika would top up but ZICTA refused and went ahead to disconnect the transmitter and confiscated it. Mpika FM Management is in the process of liasing with ZICTA to settle the fees and recover the transmitter. Meanwhile ZICTA has still not paid Mpika FM for the adverts,PANOS Reports say.
There are many documented cases of interrogation, intimidation and closure of stations and confiscation of equipment that must be stopped. The media houses especially the community media are encouraged to ensure that they are always compliant with these regulatory requirements because the current regime has demonstrated a high propensity to stifle critical voices.
On October 28, 2013, President Michael Sata cancelled the nationwide broadcast expansion licenses issued by the IBA under the chairmanship of Emmanuel Mwamba on the basis that the stations would be used by the opposition to campaign against the government.
President Sata said the issuance of nationwide licenses to Radio Qfm and Radio Phoenix by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) may have been done without proper consultation. The Head of State explained that the reason the national broadcasting license has been left only to ZNBC alone has been to protect the integrity of the state from possible careless statements that may come from political leaders with ill intentions. He specifically singled out UPND President Hakainde Hichilema.  Mwamba had announced that government had issued nationwide licences to Q FM, Radio Phoenix and Christian Voice and Catholic TV.
 
 

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