Amnesty International Regional Director for Southern Africa Deprose Muchena
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Prime TV closure a sinister ploy to weaken independent media in Zambia – Amnesty
https://diggers.news/local/2020/04/14/prime-tv-closure-a-sinister-ploy-to-weaken-independent-media-in-zambia-amnesty/
AMNESTY International says the cancellation of Prime TV’s license is a sinister ploy to weaken independent media voices in Zambia.
In a statement, Monday, Amnesty International director for Eastern and Southern Africa Deprose Muchena said government must immediately reinstate the broadcasting license of the television station.
“Zambian authorities must immediately reinstate the broadcasting license of independent television news channel, Prime TV, and allow it to resume its broadcasting work. The ‘cancellation’ of the broadcasting license of independent television news channel, Prime TV, by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) is a sinister ploy to muzzle and weaken independent media voices in Zambia. It is designed to silence any voice perceived to be critical of the authorities. Zambian authorities have targeted Prime TV for some time now. This is the second time they have suspended the station in a period of one year,” read the statement.
Muchena wondered how the station threatened public safety and security according to IBA’s reasons to cancel the license.
“The chairperson of the board of the IBA of Zambia, Josephine Mapoma, announced the suspension of the license of Prime TV through a vaguely worded statement citing ‘public safety, security peace welfare or good order’ concerns. However, the statement does not explain how the station threatened public safety and security nor provide any legal justifications for the cancellation of the license,” stated Muchena.
“If Zambia is still a place where the right to freedom of expression and media freedom are still cherished, the IBA board cannot arbitrarily cancel the broadcasting license of Prime TV. The authorities must fully and effectively respect, protect, promote and fulfil the right to freedom of expression and media freedom. There must be tolerance of the plurality of media voices.”
Prime TV’s broadcasting license cancellation was announced through a statement by the IBA dated 9 April. The suspension follows alleged refusal by the station to air government’s COVID-19 public awareness campaigns on grounds that the station was owed money for airing previous state advertisements. Prime TV, as an independent station, depends on advertising revenue to pay salaries of its staff and operational costs.
Muchena recalled that this was not the first time that the PF regime was stifling private media in Zambia.
“The right to freedom of expression and media freedom have been under attack in Zambia in recent years. In 2016, authorities sanctioned the closure of the The Post newspaper, one of the country’s longest serving independent newspapers. Its owner, Fred M’embe, and news editor, Joseph Mwenda, had been previously brutalised by the police for the newspaper’s critical reporting.
Prime TV problems deepen as the Station is closed with immediate effect
https://www.lusakatimes.com/2020/04/09/government-2/
Zambia’s most popular privately owned television station Prime TV has been closed with immediate effect.
It’s license was canceled by the Independent Broadcasting Authority.
In a statement to the media, IBA Director General, Josephine Mapoma stated that the cancellation of the TV licence is necessary and has been done in the interest of public safety, security, peace, welfare and good order.
She stated that the Board considered this action as appropriate under the circumstances.
The cancellation of the licence has been done in accordance with Section 29(1)(j) of the IBA Act.
The law allows Prime TV to appeal the decision to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services within 30 days.
And Bishop Mambo says Michael Sata has been betrayed by chancers who took over from him.
In an interview with The Mast, Bishop Mambo, who is also chairperson of Civil Society for Constitutional Agenda (CiSCA) wondered what vision PF government had for Zambia.
He said the closure of private media institutions by PF government was embarrassing to the freedom fighter who sacrificed for the Zambia’s freedom.
“It is not Gerald Shawa [owner of Prime TV] that will suffer but our young brothers and sisters, our children because they will not be able to go to school. What country do we want; where you want to fix every media?” Bishop Mambo wondered.
“The government on this one they have misdirected themselves. International community must help us to speak out and stop this dictatorship. This dictatorship is the worst in the world I have ever known and it is not right for a small country like Zambia, a principled nation and Christian nation for that matter.”
Bishop Mambo said PF, under President Edgar Lungu, has used a good name of Michael Chilufya Sata in vein.
He said Sata’s vision had been written off by chancers who had forgotten where they came from.
“Zambia is led by the dictators because collectively, the cabinet chaired by the President [Edgar Lungu] he has a right to say this is not the right way. What has been happening now has not happened in the last 27 years. We are seeing the worst now…this is why I have said that Sata has been betrayed, he has been totally write off because if you knew him, he had his own weakness but he was a people person. If you make a mistake, he would correct you and forgive you,” he said.
“Now in this case, the chancers, those who have come, because the ones that started PF are no longer in the PF, but those who joined on the way, some of them from the UPND, they are now the ministers, they are now in government. They have forgotten that they came from UPND and join PF. Sata gave them an opportunity to be leaders but they have proved to be dictators.”
Bishop Mambo added that Dora Siliya and Amos Malupenga should not be used by evil to close media institutions in Zambia.
He said Zambia’s politics were not adding value to anything because it was off democratic principles.
“Currently, I do not know which vision they are carrying. I do not know whether they have love for Sata! If they love Sata, they would have served the people of Zambia on principles that Sata stood for,” Bishop Mambo said.
Bishop Mambo said Zambia needs ideas to fix the economy, not citizens and their businesses.
He said the closure of Prime TV was similar to how those in power closed The Post.
“The shutting down of Prime TV, for those who are rejoicing, it is the beginning of the clampdown of the media institution before 2021 so that there will be no voice of Mambo, there is no voice of any person apart from them and ZNBC,” he said.
“Who is watching ZNBC now? We are paying a levy to ZNBC but they are not doing their obligation of equal coverage. It is a mouthpiece of those in government and their friends. I cannot be covered by ZNBC unless I am dancing to the tune of praising government for the things they have not done.”
Bishop Mambo said Zambians must graduate from Stone Age politics of fixing each to political of ideas.
He wondered what legacy those in office would leave for Zambia if their job was to fight every Zambia with divergent views.
“Let’s go to politics where we can differ but still we agree that we are a family. The way it is now, it is sending a very wrong signal. Everyone has spoken about the closure but the government is not listening. My appeal is that with such arrogance, if they have money to spend during 2021 election, let us eat their money. But let us go in massive numbers to go and vote for people that would see us to the promised land in 2021,” said Bishop Mambo.
“What legacy will my brother and sister leave to this nation once they are out of power? Because they must be remembered for something good but it appears that they are destroying everything. Anyone that was a friend of Michael Chilufya Sata is either his business has been closed or gone under. This is what we refused in 1991, we don’t want one party state.”
Chikondi Trust Foundation president Bishop John Mambo says it is unfair to insult the very church that politicians use to campaign in every Sunday.
And Bishop Mambo says if political leaders mean well for the country, no law will be passed without consulting the church.
On Sunday, President Lungu rebuked church leaders who run big cathedrals and synagogues not to think that they are more holy than others, further daring them to take him on if they felt aggrieved.
But speaking during a Civil Societies Organisation joint press
briefing at Kapingila House in Lusaka, Tuesday, Bishop Mambo said it was
wrong to insult the very churches which politicians were using as
platforms for campaigning.
“I think this insult and mockery directed to the church is not helping the country that we all know has been declared as a Christian nation. If indeed we meant well to say Zambia is a Christian nation, there is no law that would pass without involving them. [An] example is that if this was declared an Islamic State, you wouldn’t have been selling Mosi, but of late it’s like a soccer ball except I doubt if a church would allow a situation whereby they will literally die a natural death. But these name calling, insults and yet every Sunday you are busy campaigning using every church, going to different churches, and others being stopped in order to win the vote of the church. Of late we have Christians for Lungu, we have Christians for HH, [and] we have Christians for Nevers Mumba but genuine Christian church members, historically they have always followed the three [church] mother bodies,” said Bishop Mambo.
“Of late because of democratic tendencies, we have got a number of them at the registrar of societies but for 27 years rule of David Kaunda including me seated here [where] at one time I was almost picked and put on a plane, it was the three church mother bodies that took time to go to State House and said ‘look, what is this.’ But of lat we are just being stubborn, talking and hearing in cathedrals.”
It’s license was canceled by the Independent Broadcasting Authority.
In a statement to the media, IBA Director General, Josephine Mapoma stated that the cancellation of the TV licence is necessary and has been done in the interest of public safety, security, peace, welfare and good order.
She stated that the Board considered this action as appropriate under the circumstances.
The cancellation of the licence has been done in accordance with Section 29(1)(j) of the IBA Act.
The law allows Prime TV to appeal the decision to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services within 30 days.
Zambia: Closure of independent newspaper a ploy to crackdown on freedom of the press
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/06/zambia-closure-of-independent-newspaper-a-ploy-to-crackdown-on-freedom-of-the-press/
The decision to shut down the independent newspaper, The Post, is a deliberate ploy to silence the media ahead of the election, said Amnesty International today.
"The closure of The Post newspaper is a disturbing development clearly designed to silence critical media voices. The shutting down of one of Zambia’s main independent newspapers in the run up to an election is an affront to media freedom and the authorities should immediately reverse their decision,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Director for Southern Africa.
"If the newspaper owes taxes, necessary arrangements should be made to settle the dispute. Shutting down the newspaper threatens the right to freedom of expression."
The closure of the newspaper comes as Zambia is scheduled to hold its general election on 11 August and election campaigning is gaining momentum. The Post is one of Zambia’s few politically outspoken and critically independent newspapers.
"Rather than interfering with freedom of the press, the government should encourage an independent and diverse media."
Background
On 15 July 2015, police arrested Fred M’membe, owner of The Post newspaper, and journalist Mukosha Funga for an article they published in March. The article discussed the investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of a presidential aide soliciting a bribe from a Chinese businessman to arrange an appointment with the President.
The Post had published a letter from the ACC to the President notifying the President about its investigation. In May, the presidential aide reported the leak to the police, who questioned the journalists before releasing them.
However, on 15 July they were arrested and spent a night in custody before appearing in court, charged with publishing classified information. The journalists were released on bail, which was set at over US$3,000 each.
Zambian authorities ordered the closure of the publishing company, Post Newspapers Limited, on 21 June 2016, demanding US$6.1 Million tax in arrears. However, the newspaperis alleging selective application of the law by authorities to target the critical news organization.The closure of The Post newspaper is a disturbing development clearly designed to silence critical media voices
"The closure of The Post newspaper is a disturbing development clearly designed to silence critical media voices. The shutting down of one of Zambia’s main independent newspapers in the run up to an election is an affront to media freedom and the authorities should immediately reverse their decision,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Director for Southern Africa.
"If the newspaper owes taxes, necessary arrangements should be made to settle the dispute. Shutting down the newspaper threatens the right to freedom of expression."
The closure of the newspaper comes as Zambia is scheduled to hold its general election on 11 August and election campaigning is gaining momentum. The Post is one of Zambia’s few politically outspoken and critically independent newspapers.
"The media should not be targeted. Instead they should be encouraged, supported and strengthened to ensure accountability, checks and balances, particularly during this election period," said Deprose Muchena.Rather than interfering with freedom of the press, the government should encourage an independent and diverse media
"Rather than interfering with freedom of the press, the government should encourage an independent and diverse media."
Background
On 15 July 2015, police arrested Fred M’membe, owner of The Post newspaper, and journalist Mukosha Funga for an article they published in March. The article discussed the investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of a presidential aide soliciting a bribe from a Chinese businessman to arrange an appointment with the President.
The Post had published a letter from the ACC to the President notifying the President about its investigation. In May, the presidential aide reported the leak to the police, who questioned the journalists before releasing them.
However, on 15 July they were arrested and spent a night in custody before appearing in court, charged with publishing classified information. The journalists were released on bail, which was set at over US$3,000 each.
Zambia being led by the worst dictators, says Mambo
https://www.themastonline.com/2020/04/22/zambia-being-led-by-the-worst-dictators-says-mambo/
ZAMBIA is being led by the worst dictators, Chikondi Foundation president Bishop John Mambo has charged.
And Bishop Mambo says Michael Sata has been betrayed by chancers who took over from him.
In an interview with The Mast, Bishop Mambo, who is also chairperson of Civil Society for Constitutional Agenda (CiSCA) wondered what vision PF government had for Zambia.
He said the closure of private media institutions by PF government was embarrassing to the freedom fighter who sacrificed for the Zambia’s freedom.
“It is not Gerald Shawa [owner of Prime TV] that will suffer but our young brothers and sisters, our children because they will not be able to go to school. What country do we want; where you want to fix every media?” Bishop Mambo wondered.
“The government on this one they have misdirected themselves. International community must help us to speak out and stop this dictatorship. This dictatorship is the worst in the world I have ever known and it is not right for a small country like Zambia, a principled nation and Christian nation for that matter.”
Bishop Mambo said PF, under President Edgar Lungu, has used a good name of Michael Chilufya Sata in vein.
He said Sata’s vision had been written off by chancers who had forgotten where they came from.
“Zambia is led by the dictators because collectively, the cabinet chaired by the President [Edgar Lungu] he has a right to say this is not the right way. What has been happening now has not happened in the last 27 years. We are seeing the worst now…this is why I have said that Sata has been betrayed, he has been totally write off because if you knew him, he had his own weakness but he was a people person. If you make a mistake, he would correct you and forgive you,” he said.
“Now in this case, the chancers, those who have come, because the ones that started PF are no longer in the PF, but those who joined on the way, some of them from the UPND, they are now the ministers, they are now in government. They have forgotten that they came from UPND and join PF. Sata gave them an opportunity to be leaders but they have proved to be dictators.”
Bishop Mambo added that Dora Siliya and Amos Malupenga should not be used by evil to close media institutions in Zambia.
He said Zambia’s politics were not adding value to anything because it was off democratic principles.
“Currently, I do not know which vision they are carrying. I do not know whether they have love for Sata! If they love Sata, they would have served the people of Zambia on principles that Sata stood for,” Bishop Mambo said.
Bishop Mambo said Zambia needs ideas to fix the economy, not citizens and their businesses.
He said the closure of Prime TV was similar to how those in power closed The Post.
“The shutting down of Prime TV, for those who are rejoicing, it is the beginning of the clampdown of the media institution before 2021 so that there will be no voice of Mambo, there is no voice of any person apart from them and ZNBC,” he said.
“Who is watching ZNBC now? We are paying a levy to ZNBC but they are not doing their obligation of equal coverage. It is a mouthpiece of those in government and their friends. I cannot be covered by ZNBC unless I am dancing to the tune of praising government for the things they have not done.”
Bishop Mambo said Zambians must graduate from Stone Age politics of fixing each to political of ideas.
He wondered what legacy those in office would leave for Zambia if their job was to fight every Zambia with divergent views.
“Let’s go to politics where we can differ but still we agree that we are a family. The way it is now, it is sending a very wrong signal. Everyone has spoken about the closure but the government is not listening. My appeal is that with such arrogance, if they have money to spend during 2021 election, let us eat their money. But let us go in massive numbers to go and vote for people that would see us to the promised land in 2021,” said Bishop Mambo.
“What legacy will my brother and sister leave to this nation once they are out of power? Because they must be remembered for something good but it appears that they are destroying everything. Anyone that was a friend of Michael Chilufya Sata is either his business has been closed or gone under. This is what we refused in 1991, we don’t want one party state.”
Attacking church won’t help Zambia – Bishop Mambo
https://www.zambianobserver.com/attacking-church-wont-help-zambia-bishop-mambo/
Chikondi Trust Foundation president Bishop John Mambo says it is unfair to insult the very church that politicians use to campaign in every Sunday.
And Bishop Mambo says if political leaders mean well for the country, no law will be passed without consulting the church.
On Sunday, President Lungu rebuked church leaders who run big cathedrals and synagogues not to think that they are more holy than others, further daring them to take him on if they felt aggrieved.
“I think this insult and mockery directed to the church is not helping the country that we all know has been declared as a Christian nation. If indeed we meant well to say Zambia is a Christian nation, there is no law that would pass without involving them. [An] example is that if this was declared an Islamic State, you wouldn’t have been selling Mosi, but of late it’s like a soccer ball except I doubt if a church would allow a situation whereby they will literally die a natural death. But these name calling, insults and yet every Sunday you are busy campaigning using every church, going to different churches, and others being stopped in order to win the vote of the church. Of late we have Christians for Lungu, we have Christians for HH, [and] we have Christians for Nevers Mumba but genuine Christian church members, historically they have always followed the three [church] mother bodies,” said Bishop Mambo.
“Of late because of democratic tendencies, we have got a number of them at the registrar of societies but for 27 years rule of David Kaunda including me seated here [where] at one time I was almost picked and put on a plane, it was the three church mother bodies that took time to go to State House and said ‘look, what is this.’ But of lat we are just being stubborn, talking and hearing in cathedrals.”
