Authorities in Zambia on Monday shut down the country’s main private TV station, Muvi TV and two radio stations for alleged “misconduct”.
“The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has revoked the Broadcast Licences of Muvi Television, Komboni Radio and Itezhi Itezhi Radio for wide and flagrant breach of terms of their licences and for broadcasting material that could cause incitement that might break the peace and security of the country,” said a statement issued on Lusaka.
The stations are accused of deliberately breaching the broadcasting standard operating procedure and terms of their licences; an accusation commentators have argued as a crackdown on dissent by the government.
The authority accused the broadcaster of promoting falsehood and impartial news reporting, Africa Review reports.
The TV station is also accused of airing material not suitable to be classified and adverts.
An advert was regularly shown depicting “murdered and blooded victims”.
The advert also highlighted the PF and President Edgar Lungu as the perpetrators,” it said.
The regulator further claimed that Itezhi Itezhi Radio and Komboni Radio stations have been broadcasting inciting material that could endanger communities, make communities rise against one another.
The frequencies of the stations have since been withdrawn.
The Zambian law requires them[stations] to appeal the suspension to the minister of information in three months if they were unhappy with the punishment meted but in the absence of a Cabinet it was unclear when the stations may be reopened.
