(MISA/IFEX) – On 18 September 2001, Minister of Information Vernon Mwaanga announced the lifting of the ban on the privately-owned radio station Radio Phoenix, which he ordered to be closed on August 19. Mwaanga said at a press briefing that the station’s licence was being reinstated because all the appropriate penalties and renewal fees had […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 18 September 2001, Minister of Information Vernon Mwaanga announced the lifting of the ban on the privately-owned radio station Radio Phoenix, which he ordered to be closed on August 19. Mwaanga said at a press briefing that the station’s licence was being reinstated because all the appropriate penalties and renewal fees had been paid.
However, he warned that he would not hesitate to ban any other station which failed to meet all licensing conditions. “Radio and television operators have a binding obligation to strictly observe licensing laws. Failure to observe the conditions of their licences could result in their withdrawal or cancellation,” he said.
According to information obtained by the Zambia Independent Media Association (ZIMA), the station paid K5.7 million (approx. US$1,500) in penalties and licence renewal fees for Lusaka and Kabwe. Sources at Radio Phoenix told the ZIMA that the station’s licence was restored mainly due to intense diplomatic pressure from western embassies based in Lusaka.
Mwaanga announced the closure of Radio Phoenix on 19 August because the station had not paid its annual licence renewal fees for Lusaka and Kabwe to his ministry, which were due in February and April, respectively. He further said that re-opening the station would not be automatic just because the relevant fees had been paid, as it would be treated as a new application.
