STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA The decision by IBA of not bending attracted intentions to protest from stakeholders. On 11th March 2019, the News Diggers Publication carried a headline, “NAREP, ZIIMA Seek Police Permit to Protest Prime TV Closure.” It was reported that the Zambian Institute of Independent Media Alliance (ZIIMA) and NAREP had written to Lusaka police Commissioner Nelson Phiri informing him about their intentions to carry out peaceful protests against the suspension of Prime TV. According to separate letters written by ZIIMA President Coulibaly and NAREP Secretary general Ezra Ngulube, the protest was to be attended by the opposition alliance, journalists, the civil society, church mother bodies, student unions and the general public who will all carry placards. The planned protests however never took place as they were blocked by the Police. The Daily Nation publication on 18th March carried a headline, “Narep Protest Bid Flops.” The paper reported that: Police in Lusaka have rejected a request by National restoration party (NAREP) to hold a peaceful protest on Wednesday against the temporal closure of Prime Television, saying that they were overstretched on operations of the upcoming by-elections in Kafue. Mr Phiri, however, said the suspension of Prime TV was only for 30 days and the station was ordered to put its house in order. He also said that the police were overstretched on operations because of the upcoming local government by-elections in Kafue. “You may wish to know that the suspension will come to an end on 3rd of April, 2019. Police is again overstretched on the operations of the by-elections taking place in Kafue and your security on the protest day may not be guaranteed,” the letter reads in part. Following plans to hold protest and subsequent denials by Police to issue protesters permits based on security reasons, President Lungu was quoted on 21th March,2019 under the heading “Prime TV Suspension Not Harsh-Lungu.” The paper reported that: President Lungu has defended the 30-day suspension slapped on Prime TV’s broadcasting licence, saying “it was not harsh”. And President Lungu said he could endure being insulted, but would not allow irresponsible media to cause chaos in the nation. President Lungu said 24