CPJ calls for listing of Zambia broadcasters' licenses

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Thursday asked Zambia's broadcasting regulator to immediately reinstate license for three broadcasting stations it revoked, saying the move smacks of censorship.

On August 22, the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) suspended licenses of three broadcasting stations including the country's main independent television, Muvi, on allegation of unprofessional misconduct which posed a risk to national peace and stability before and after the August 11 polls.

But the New York based media watchdog has called on the authorities to reinstate the licenses and drop charges on four media workers from the television station who were arrested and charged with trespass when the station was sealed by the police.

Local media bodies have also condemned the decision and asked the regulator to rescind its decision as the stations were not given a chance to exculpate themselves in accordance with the law.

The decision to suspend licenses of the three broadcasting stations follows a move by the country's revenue agency to close the country's largest private newspapers, the Post, over tax arrears.

Critics have said these moves were meant to silence criticism and were politically motivated, a charge that the broadcasting regulator has denied. Endit