Suspension of Prime TV’s license is a threat to democracy-Chipenzi

MacDonald Chipenzi

Governance, Elections, Advocacy and Research Services (GEARS) Initiative Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi says the decision by the Independent Broadcasting Authority to suspend Prime TV is a threat to democracy.

Mr. Chipenzi says democracy demands and grows when there is existence of free and diverse media outlets key to flourishing of diverse and alternative opinions needed for national development.

He has told Q-news that the continued assault on media freedoms and suffocation of existence of independent media being occasioned by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) against media houses perceived to be critical of government and the ruling party is worrying.

Mr. Chipenzi says the selective punishment being applied only on media houses critical of government and the ruling party is overt for all to see.

He has therefore called on IBA to be seen to be impartial and treat all media outlets equally if the desire is to enforce and see professionalism and ethical reporting and also unbiased news contents, coverage and analysis in all media houses.

Mr. Chipenzi has therefore urged Prime TV and other affected stations to seek judicial redress.