Media bodies appeal for Prime TV reprieve
By Staff Reporter
Panos Institute of Southern Africa has called on the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to rescind its decision to suspend Prime TV’s broadcasting license.
Panos Executive Director Lillian Kiefer has urged IBA to use other channels of penalizing broadcasting stations.
Kiefer said the suspension would instil fear in other broadcasters, and this may contribute to muzzling of media space and freedom of the media to inform, educate and entertain without fear or favour.
She said IBA had at its disposal other ways of engaging Prime TV and other media houses without taking such severe action.
On Monday, 4th March IBA suspended Prime TV for 30 days on grounds that it exhibited unprofessional conduct in its news coverage.
And Prime TV proprietor Gerald Shawa said he would issue a statement in due course.
