The closure of the biggest Zambian private owned TV station, Prime TV by Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) is a clear confirmation of the PF government agenda to get rid of independent media.
About three weeks ago Zambia Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Dora Siliya slapped the station (Prime TV) with what I call a diabolical punishment. Dora Siliya ordered all government ministries and other entities to cease any business with Prime television station.
The punishment is a result of Prime TV refusal to sensitise members of the general public about the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Several Zambians both home and abroad have condemned the punishment and demand the government to rescind the punishment. Surprisingly, the demand seem to be in vain.
It appears it is not just a punishment but an effort by Zambian government to have total control over media; get get rid of independent media. If it was not so, Prime TV would be on. Given that its proprietor Gerald Shawa has publicly apologized to the government and the general public.
The level of escalation of the matter despite apology makes it clear that PF government was looking for a way to eliminate Prime TV.
The goal has already been achieved. Prime TV is closed. It is now up to the people to save Prime TV from disappearing for good. It not easy but nothing is more powerful that the voice of the people.
We must not allow independent organisations help PF government achieve its goal to eliminate Prime TV and other independent media. We must not allow Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) behave like a PF government department.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Dora Siliya punishes Prime TV. Next, Topstar, a joint venture company between Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and digital TV operator StarTimes of China announces removal of Prime Television from all its platforms. Now, Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) closes Prime television station. Wow!
If it doesn’t sound like team work, forgive my reasoning.
Zambians must hear what they want to hear not what the government want them to hear. It can not happen if all TV stations become pro-government. Independent media platforms such as Prime TV are the ones that fully inform Zambians and the world about Zambia and its values.
It doesn’t matter where you are, your voice matters. Help save independent media in Zambia.
By Venus N Msyani
Concerned citizen in the diaspora
After they leave office these PF thugs must be prosecuted to the fullest. They have destroyed our country.
These other private media companies think they are invincible, they think throwing prime TV under the bus will help leapfrog to the top as the peoples choice. CHAONA MUZAKO CHAPITA, MAWA CHILI PALI IWE.
Zambia is moving towards dictatorship. Prime tv has a broad and wide reporting.
It is not only in Zambia but it is connected in many countries in Africa and outside Africa. Whever we hear to other countries which have also private media operations, we Zambians get frabagasted and disappointed with the current treatments of Zambian leadership towards our own media fratenity.
Only in Zambia where we see if leaders blunders but spotted of abuse of office, its a crime and you become a bad person and an enemy of this leadership.
We see even those with opposing opinion to current leadership once debated, becomes an evil act in the sight of this leadership. Am afraid to see PF IBA closing Prime tv and in my opinion is on nothing else but on the issue of bill 10. We have never seen ZNBC which most Zambians all subcriscribes the so called TV levies brings on board leaders to debate as we used to see on Prime tv.
The shutdown of independent media by government is a typical symptom of incompetent and dictatorial leadership. Against all odds, PF won again the MMD. Against all odds, there will be a change of government in 2021. This is inevitable. And PF will go down in history as the most authoritarian government to have ruled Zambia. A well performing government would not be so worried about the elections because re election is a reward a good government gets at the ballot. Silencing independent media will not help PF because Zambian citizens at large know that the current government has failed to deliver. They can smell defeat, hence the desperate and heartless maneuvers. My heart goes out to those that have lost their jobs due to this nonsensical act of thoughtless individuals.
@ patriot, I wouldn’t hold your breath if I were you, I can agree that change is inevitable, however referring to 2021 of PF losing, I would question you who you think would beat PF, upnd? lol don’t make me laugh, in 2016 when upnd had guy Scott, miles, mulenga and the big pf muscle, upnd lost, in 2017 when ECL was campaigned as the vision less one, PF still won, so I only wonder what makes you think it would lose now when kazungula is nearing completion. it w
would lose because of prime.lol
you made breaker laugh
to Venus, just because you live abroad doesn’t give you the right to justify what prime did, you must be aware that immediately corona was confirmed in your nations, stations quickly engaged in sensitizing such vital information to the public, it was rather fooooolish for prime to remand payment in order to help save lives. do you think if we begin to die the Virus would choose who dies according to their political party? media has the power to destroy a nation, prime TV should remain shut.
I’m breaker I’m transcendent and I approve this message
Ishi imbwa
Marubbish article.
“Social media is for all, while journalism is for trained communicators (Professionals). But if you allow all and sundry to masquerade as journalists, your profession will perish and you will have yourselves to blame”, ECL, POTROZ and CICOTAFS.
Bill 10 is the main reason why PF closed this vibrant media so that they can drive their own agenda. In Zambian history we have never had this what is happening today when you look at the trend of leadership, ever since independence. Look at kwacha reaching to a level of K19 per dolla although the song of COVID-19, and its not only Zambia affected but this a global crisis.
Written by Concerned citizen in the diaspora, that made me laugh hahaha. A concerned person who chose to run away somewhere as an economic asylum seeker and then today you want to make us believe that you care about your country. You have lived three years and have no idea what is happening here. The only sources you have are biased online media. Prime TV know what to do. They can legally challenge the decision or become farmers and contribute to the economy. Until then continue crying like a constipated hippo there in diaspora.
For inflation to reach this negative historic figure, reserves completely depleted, meali meal prices RECORD HIGH, exchange rate of the kwacha to the dollar in free reign, second worst performing currency in the world, let me repeat this IN THE WORLD, and for the country to run completely out of money due to reckless borrowing(clear visionless lack of planning) and for the majority of the people wallowing in poverty, it is clear that it is having a guy like this one called Kaizar being near the corridors of power, You bring the country to its knees and you are still stubborn – satana
This is what people living abroad are missing. THE OWNER WAS ARROGANT HE REFUSED TO HELP THE POOR AND NOW YOU ARE COMING TO THE TIME BAIL YOU OUT. I CAN’T NEVER
We need imformation like we see in other countries do. It is an individual selection to chose which media to like and which media to not like. PF can not choose for me to listen to ZNBC where all things goes allelujah. We are not in a cult where a preacher shoults even on a non word “alleluya” and every person in says amen.
If you are a true KZ, you must analyze your leadership and as an individual think about your own relatives. This time is not the time of political shut down. Embrace each other as a good leader. What goes up must come down and soon you will be out and what will you be remembered of when you go out. Will you be remembered as a bad leader who has gone to hell or a good leader who has gone to heaven?
Mr. Shawa made a mistake.He wrote to the government a letter of apology.Next day he went to sue the government entity ( star times and multi choice).where is sense here? This reminds of how
HH and UPND similar used Muvi tv in 2015 -2016 to the point of many workers loosing their jobs.
Jo Breaker, if you think refusing to air Covid-19 adverts, which BTW Prime TV still went on to advertise after issuing the apology, is reason enough for the minister to cancel all advertisement from government, stop all appearances from government departments, remove the TV station from TopStar, setoff ZRA investigations, have the IBA cancel the broadcasting license and send heavily armed police to seal off the premises, then I am sorry but you must be deluded…..Zambia is better than this, we deserve better leadership than what we are getting. We are a democratic country free to choose our sources of information without having to look over our shoulders. If you are happy with DeadNBC, that’s your choice and good for you. Not every news outlet has to sing praises for “his Excellency,…
Personally I say let Prime TV ,,,,,,R.I.P
Contd..’his Excellency, most high, humble and righteous leader” .We have gone past that, this ended with KK and value indepence of thought and ideas. Therefore sources of information cannot all be the same…
a govt run by babooooons…you can not expect anything better….the closure of prime tv means loss of jobs imwe…At this moment when the whole world is ravaging due to the covid-19 we have seen how crippled economies have become and zambia is not an exception…. mining firms are sending workers home,Hotel Intercontinental,the tourism industry and proof is there for everyone to see.But because PF is myopic and very Limited in thinking,all is well with them.There was UNIP, CAME MMD AND NOW PF AND TOMORROW…….? You know the answer
DeadNBC….@ Uwakwisano….day made lol
PITT the only baboon is that foolish woman who gave birth to you. Learn to have respect for leadership. You cannot call the presidency baboon and think that sits well with the authorities. Remember you can be tracked down by your IP address like that boy Zoom who was insulting the president. Be very careful. What job loss? Are we going to allow illegal activities and disrespect for the sake of a handful of jobs? Don’t be silly.
This part of the Lords Prayer “… forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…” is self explanatory. I fail to construe the actions of leaders who don’t practice what they preach. When masses are advised to participate in ‘the national day of prayer’ by people who do not portray any traces of Christian virtues one is subdued to succumb to thinking that we are being lead by wolves masquerading in sheep skin. This whole thing is sad… but God is fair. Nobody gets away with it. In one way or another, He equalises. Our beloved bleeding nation will one day heal… I rest my case.
If any one thinks PF will lose elections in 2021 dream on. PF losing is suicide because many minsters will land in jail, the Likes of KAISER ZULU will be first to be thrown in jail and he will share a cell with Kampyongo, Davis Mwila, Jean Kapata. The only survivor is Edgar Lungu because he is immune from prosecution.
WELCOME TO ZAMMBIA!!!!!!!!!!!!
(The punishment is a result of Prime TV refusal to sensitize members of the general public about the coronavirus (COVID-19).)
This is a very sensitive matter which needs everyone’s effort to combat but these Prime TV outburst were very unfortunate to say the least… look, the man apologizes the following day he is in court and I believe he is still in court, let the courts rule and save him!!
Musonda nakonde, please dont be so childish, you cant prosecute a person without a case,under what charges will you proscute pf and by who, shawa openly refused to sensetize the public, you never said anything, we have legal avenues to vist if aggrieved let him appeal to the minister, i dont suppot his stance ,let him just start fish farming so that the mingle with him friend kaide hakaivotela
P.F HYPOCRITES!!
The “real brute Ka!zar” NOT the L.T. imp0ster N.3z who spews useless daily drivel on this site, has had SO MANY chances, despite repeatedly breaking the law by assaulting, maiming & intimidating innocent citizens with impunity whilst his drunken boss Jon@ Mukula looks on in his daily drunken clueless stup0r and does Zilch, but still the brute Ka!zar begs citizens to forgive & forget, BUT they wont forgive Prime T.V for a single transgression??
WELCOME TO THE BRUTAL KLEPTOCRACY CALLED ZAMBIA, WHERE PIMPS, PROSTITUTES, PIRATES & PR!CK’S -(P.P.P.P) RUN THE SHOW!
The truth of the matter is that these same people in government today enjoying the best of what Zambia can offer, will need independent voices and media when in opposition. It’s not if but when. People in power must learn to Create a conducive atmosphere for their own good in the near future.
R.i.p tarino orange’s favourite prime tv. Now where will you get your fake news? I was wondering why you are so quiet recently only to find out that your biased prime is out, witchdog should be next then the fake diggers
Now watch L.T, remove & shelve this story as they have been doing whenever some of us post some analytical home truths they & their P.F paymasters cannot stomach.
L.T there’s a pattern in what you censor & remove & its all tilted to anything that exposes your beloved P.F’s folly!
Any damn thing h² touches dies.
God knows he must touch this thing called Zambia.
These *****s don’t know what it takes to run a country.
UPNDEAD are misinformers. Mark Simuwe and a host of the deads are misinformers too.
They wanna play co cise with SARS-COV-2.
He must not touch Zambia.Else Zambia and every we know about dies.
God help us from rumor mongerds and misinformers.
Oooh! Anything double h touches, any damn thing dies.
#hemustnotrule
Bring back Prime TV or else you will have to Shelf ZNBC too. Tell me has the Zambia daily mail or Times of Zambia ever taken advantage of the closure of the post news paper? No they are both almost dead and buried now. Rethink your stance with prime TV ba govt.
Thorn in flesh is Edgar doing a good job to revive the country he has utterly destroyed all by himself?
Thank you Mshyani for your write up. Zambia needs a real revolution in real democracy which the PF was set up to kill. THERE IS NO DEMOCRACY HERE. First, PF killed the Post newspaper, then they killed intraparty and interparty dissent, stopped Mmutsi Maimane and Prof. Lumumba from entering Zambia for public lecture and now Prime Tv. Look, as it stands NO ONE in Zambia is free to air contrarian views. Like dad said in Kitwe “tekuishyo ukulanda pali bene (ba PF) kuti bakuipaya nangu ukukufumya nchito in public interest”. A third revolution.
Yes today Prime TV is useless to those in power at the moment. But one day it will become useful. Learn from Chishimba Kambwili. I’m sure he’s regretting having contributed to the closure of the Post newspaper. Tomorrow it will be Dora Siliya regretting the closure of Prime TV. Time is ticking. Fellow Zambians what did we see in this current PF sure? How could we do this to ourselves?
@Roka, how did you or Boma help the poor?
@Parent, spot on. To your question what did we see in PF, the answer is zero. The signs were there from the start. Constitution in 90 days, more money in your pockets, revival of Zambia airways etc. Some of us knew these were total lies yet many fellow citizens thought electing leaders was all about loud music, free opaque beer and green waist wrappers with a head of a man and woman. Let’s enjoy our carelessness.
the government should not a mistake of allowing prime tv a public relations wing of the upnd
The decision to close Prime TV was not in public interest but in PF interest. Which public if I may ask? If anything, the public loved the TV station
Venus N Msyani, if that’s your real, the first mistake you made is state that you are from diaspora as the simpletons will simply pick on that and the second mistake is you didnt offer a plan of action..if I was you I would have created an online petition for starters though ineffective but raises awareness this can be sent to Zambia’s donors that supplement GRZ budget.
any one who is reasoning properly would support or celebrate the closure of prime tv. its not normal you dont some to open you eyes for you to see the motive behind.
Please open PTV now.
May God help us! I know you listen. Let your will be done on Zambia as it is in Heaven! We thank you for answering our prayer!
@ Kaizar Zulu…YOU ARE SUCH AN I.M.B.E.C.I.L.E…YOU ARE NOTHING BUT AN I.D.I.O.T….HOW DO YOU DISRESPECT THE WOMAN THAT GAVE BIRTH TO ME AND WHOM UNFORTUNATELY I NEVER SET MY EYES ON?? ARE YOU HAPPY THAT PRIME TV HAS BEEN CLOSED? SO THAT MEANS YOU ARE EQUALLY HAPPY THAT PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS…HOW ARE THEY GOING TO SURVIVE WITH THIS CRIPPLING ECONOMY THAT THE PF HAS A HAND IN? DO NOT COME HERE TO ISSUE THREATS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE MERELY EXPRESSING THEIR DISPLEASURE WITH THE WAY OUR NATION IS BEING RUN BY MORONS & PSYCHOPATHS..I KNOW THE TRUTH HURTS BUT MY DEAR THIS IS A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY AND I HAVE THE RIGHTS TO CRITICISE THE GOVT WHERE I SEE THINGS GOING INTO A BOTTOMLESS PIT.AM AN ELECTORATE,LUNGU IS MY SERVANT AND HE MUST SERVE IN THE WAY THAT I DESERVE….!!!!!!! U.G. L. Y…
The only thing that makes lungu thinks twice is forigne criticisim , particularly from the west where he needs a bailout from.
In the next few days I will be creating a sign petition for all aggrived Zambians worried of lungus dictatorial moves to sign , then we will forward to all donner countries around the world.
Watch how lungu and pf will roast with such a petition…..
Yes let shawa not get controlled by the we know who.
See one touch on UPND it irreversibly became irrelevant, irresponsible and irrational in its death.
Please open the eyes of all these doubting thomases on how dangerous he is.
He touched Muvi TV, it is dead, he touched the unza student, she died, he touched the upndead cadre in kaoma he never saw the light of the day and hell yes he touched our mines, they are dead and still threatening of offloading our people in this time of Covid-19; and just how could someone get chocked while swallowing.
Not nice. No not nice.
At a time when the Government should be promoting Zambian Businesses, You are bringing down organisations just because you have a thin skin. The Post Newspaper was also closed by scared politicians. What Zambian Politicians need to realise is that Zambia is not a communist country! We are suffocating under Chinese debt and a time but the PF government need to realise that a Day of reckoning will come when all these guys will be common citizens like us. What is more, Some people will have to account for their sudden wealth! I hope ZRA will come in handy…its a shame
@ PITT
Stop shouting and handle KZ as a man. Stop being emotional now.
ECL is your special servant. Our special servant you i insult day in day out. We elected him not only to serve you but even that poor woman in Monze selling chibwantu.
The economy is biting for everyone nowadays.
I want you to be listening to news all over the world not from Prime alone.
You chaps can help Prime TV get better by not allowing it to be used politically by certain crops of politicians. In any case, IBA has a reason. It could be political, maybe not but life gotta roll.
RIP. Shawa was arrogant.
What was the agenda of prime tv? Pf was just waiting for an opportunity to strike and they found presented to them by dull camera man Shawa. I have no mercy for Shawa. He did not run his station professionally. Even order of prominence for them. HH was higher than ECL where on earth will you find such journalism? You even hire people to go and dump startime recorders after a fake apology. I can’t see them back on air again. Even if hh won in 2021, he would be very carefully dealing with them
This Thorn in the Flesh
Who was gassing our people ?????
Who has driven the kwacha to almost 20 to the $ ?
Who has grinded GDP from RBs 7% to almost zero ????
Don’t take cover and tell us
PITT I cannot respond to that nonsensical comment with a substantive response. Wachepa sana mwayiche. You are just an angry insignificant joker who is not even eligible to vote.
@ This Thorn in the Flesh NAMVELA BUT UYU Kaizar Zulu SHOULD NOT DRAG MY MUM INTO THIS…HE FORGETS THAT SHAWA IS A ZAMBIAN AND ATLEAST HE EVEN EMPLOYED SOME ZAMBIANS WHO HAVE NOW BEEN LEFT JOBLESS BY A DICTATORIAL GOVT.WHY ARE THEY FAILING TO GO SHUT CHINESE/ INDIAN FIRMS OR COMPANIES THAT ARE MISTREATING AND EXPLOITING ZAMBIANS ALL OVER LUSAKA? ALIBE NZELU MAMBALA UYU…!!!
@ Kaizar Zulu NKALANI CHABE BA MUDALA!!
THE PROBLEM IS THAT ZAMBIANS IN GENERAL HATE EACH OTHER SO MUCH THAT HAVING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS IS ALMOST A CRIME NOW.WE WOULD RATHER SEE AN INDIAN,CHINESE OR MUZUNGU DOING BETTER THAN OUR OWN..WHAT A SHAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PF has completely failed to run the country the only thing they know is how to steal and destroy the bible says the devil comes but only to kill and destroy.
Mukula trees,donor funds in some minister’s pockets,animals in national parks taken,over pricing of tenders,over borrowing closing of companies and institutions and banning anyone who challenge them like John Sangwa.
UNZA staff owed K600 million in unpaid dues when UNZALARU tried to talk what did PF government do ban them everybody is scared to talk ZNBC staff not paid,civil servants not paid on time,pensions not paid,mine contractors not paid mines are being closed for no proper reason and you don’t want us to talk we are going to talk if you want arrest us for saying the truth open Prime TV you cowards.
You are not more…
You are not more superior or special more than other Zambians we are all equal before the law and Zambia belongs to all of us being in government does not mean intimidating others.
Madame Mapoma, at your of intelligence etc, could you not have done better? Like follow the law with the guidance of lawyers who stand in court and argue that their clients are innocent, knowing the guilt.
The IBA regulations do not need a John Sangwa to interpret.
Professionals like you are let down the systems.
Very soon the commenting section will be removed from LT by the cowards.
Sichaalwe who you talking to
@Kaizar Zulu, as far as I know you are a very respected person in the society. Don’t let anger destroy your reputation. Forget about adults, you are sending a very bad message to the kids out there. Based on your comment it is ok to insult someone’s mother but not the president. Wrong, it is not ok to insult either. You insult someone’s mother and expect clapping! I don’t blame PITT.
Am talking to all of you who are busy doing wrong things you think we Zambians are stupid you guys in PF, remember UNIP was more harder to remove than you guys you are very small compared to the Zambian people’s power when Zambians get fed up you are out whether you like it or not ask KK he is still alive he will tell you a story of oranges flying at him keep on doing rubbish you will see how Zambians can change a lot of wrong things have happened under PF than any other government in the history of Zambia and you guys seem not to be worried it is business as usual.
Why help prime TV? They asked for it. Dora and Co, took to long to deal with these people. How can a private television station go about decampaigning a sitting government? There reporting was not about balancing but setting up regime change. Ask the post and it’s incarnate mast paper. They now behave. Boma ni boma.
Your days are numbered start counting them no Zambian is going to forget all the wrong things you have done this is a democratic country not dictatorship bunch of standard one graduates that’s why we need fresh brains people who understand the economy of a country not people who just want to win votes every time it’s a by-election even through rigging the last election you never won you just stole it because you are good at it this time around God will not allow you no wonder you are scared because you know how you came back in power open Prime TV cowards.
I don’t pay much attention to private Zambian TV stations. I listen more to BBC and CNN, but on that day, it was the first time I got to know about Prime TV. Their boss, a Mr. Shawa, came across as crude, coarse, and unpatriotic at a time of the Cob19 crisis. He seemed more concerned with profit than sensitizing Zambians about the pandemic. To me, this is the key thing. If what he said on that day is what Prime TV believes in, we can do without them!
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Former ZNBC Boss Joe Chilaizya Writes On Prime TV Closure
April 11, 2020 1
Joe Chilaizya
FORMER ZNBC BOSS JOE CHILAIZYA WRITES ON PRIME TV CLOSURE
MY LONGEST POST:
I have been in media for several decades now and I am a strong believer in the Freedom of the Press/Media. I am peacefully retired to farming and enjoy watching an Eastern sunset over a glass of red wine or whiskey….
But my peace got disturbed by news of the closure of Prime TV and when I analysed the reasons behind their closure my sense of forboding grew darker and i became deeply alarmed about the implications.
I rarely watch TV these days and do not have a first hand opinion on Prime TV and how it conducts itself.
The crux of the beef between the station…
The consequences of daring and humiliating those in authority. I saw it coming. Some politicians like fresher siwale were using prime TV as a platform to unleash insults against those in power
Good riddance is all I can say. Prime TV was a kaponya and kabova station. IBA please never bring back this nonsense on the air.
We voted mmd out then because of Dora and others and seems she hasn’t learnt her lesson yet. This time we will make sure we see you wear the convict uniform as your godfather will not be there to save you. As for prime tv like it or not ,you shall reopen it. Why are you ladies in the forefront of doing wrong things? Shame on you