Attempt to halt tv station poses threat to media freedom

Attempts to shut down the only private television station in Zambia this week have raised concerns over media freedom in the country.

On Saturday police officers raided the Lusaka-based Omega television station and ordered staff to cease test broadcasts immediately.

Omega TV station manager William Kazoka told IRIN the police had cited "orders from above" as the reason behind the closure.

"It has been a frustrating experience, especially because there appears to be no legitimate reason behind this harassment. Omega tv only serves to bring to the Zambian public an impartial picture of what is going on in the country. We do not attempt to compete with the national broadcaster, and do not have any ties to any political camp," Kazoka said.

According to Kazoka, the closure of the station followed a letter written on 27 October by solicitor general Sunday Nkonde to the minister of information and broadcasting services, Mutale Nalumango, stating that the station was operating illegally and police should shut it down.

In January 2002 the minister of information and broadcasting services at the time, Vernon Mwaanga, had granted Omega a licence to run test broadcasts. The licence was valid for 18 months but was cancelled prior to its expiry by his successor, Newstead Zimba, who cited "public interest", prompting Omega to seek a judicial review of Zimba's decision in the High Court.

Omega TV lost the High Court case in August and was ordered to cease operations immediately. However, the station appealed the decision in the Supreme Court and on 19 September 2003 was granted a stay of execution of the High Court's order.

Kazoka argued that the decision to close the station was informed by "internal politicking" between officials in the government and supporters of former president Frederick Chiluba.

Omega television is a subsidiary of Africa Press Trust, a company owned by Richard Sakala, Chiluba's press aide. Both Chiluba and Sakala have reportedly fallen out of favour with the government of President Levy Mwanawasa and are facing separate charges relating to corruption.

"It appears that anything that is remotely related to Sakala is now tarnished. This is a pity, because Omega television has become a victim of personal vendettas," Kazoka remarked.

One media activist in Zambia told IRIN: "This has clear political overtones and does not bode well for media freedom in the country. Currently, although opposition parties do appear on national television from time to time, the government by far dominates the media. It is important that private media are allowed to develop for the sake of democratisation."