Eleven (11) Media Heads from private television stations in the country this morning paid a courtesy call on Information and Broadcasting Services Minister and Chief Government Spokesperson Hon. Dora Siliya at her office at the Government Complex in Lusaka.
The Media Heads were from Prime, City, Diamond, Prism Africa, Lumen, Camnet and ABN television stations. Others were from CBC, Revelation, Fresh and Hope Channel Zambia television stations.
Leader of the delegation, Mr. Gerald Shawa, who is proprietor of Prime Television Station said the courtesy call was intended to brief the Hon. Minister on the various issues affecting private television stations across the country.
Mr. Shawa informed the Minister that private television stations were concerned that Top Star, a joint venture company between the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and Star Times of China had violated the Digital Migration policy by departing from its core object.
He explained that instead of playing its role of a signal distributor, Topstar had also gone into the business of providing pay television services.
Mr. Shawa said this is contrary to what is stipulated in the Digital Migration Policy.
He also told the Hon. Minister that private television stations wanted to be part of the television levy revenue sharing.
Mr. Shawa said private television stations wondered why revenue from the collection of television levy should only be given to ZNBC when members of the public pay the levy to watch different channels on the Topstar bouquet and not ZNBC channel only.
He also expressed concern over the high carriages fees which Topstar is charging private television stations to be carried on its signal around the country. Topstar is charging one point two million kwacha (K1.2M) per month.
Mr. Shawa said most of the private television stations will not manage to pay the fees and this could lead to the collapse of some stations.
In response, Hon. Siliya said Government has a direct interest in seeing that all media in the country flourish.
Hon. Siliya said she will tomorrow morning hold discussions with the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), ZNBC and Topstar to see how the issues raised could be addressed.
She stated that she would also make consultations with the Attorney General over the matter.
Only a short sighted govt like Lazy Lungu’s can give away control of a strategic media house like ZNBC for coins…not even UK attempted to privatize BBC. These Media House Chiefs can complain all they want but the should remember that Topstar owns 60% of ZNBC…our foolish corrupt govt is a minority shareholder!!
Only a short sighted govt like Lazy Lungu’s can give away control of a strategic media house like ZNBC for coins…not even UK attempted to privatize BBC. These Media House Chiefs can complain all they want but the should remember that Topstar owns 60% of ZNBC…our fooooolish corrupt govt is a minority shareholder!!
I dont watch any of the channels mentioned in the article.
If Top Star receives the TV Levy then all other privates TV companies should. It’s only fair
PAYING TV LEVY TO IBA WHICH WILL THEN FORWARD IT TO ZNBC WHICH IS IN SHARE HOLDING PARTNERSHIP WITH TOPSTAR THAT SHOULD BE COMPETING WITH MULTCHOICE AND FORMER STRONG TELEVISION.
SECONDLY THIS IS NOT TV LEVY, CALL IT DECODER LEVY.
“””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
“He also told the Hon. Minister that private television stations wanted to be part of the television levy revenue sharing.” I support them 150%. Private TV stations must not suffer unfair competition and yes they must have a share of the proceedings from the levy. My K5 or K10 should not be used to enrich Topstar indirectly. Whatever deal ZNBC cut with TOPSTAR should not put an innocent citizen in the middle. CK oversaw this rotten deal. Digital migration…
Wow that’s a lot of TV companies, just like 67 universities in Zambia.
…. my foot.
I have always been skeptical about this TV LEVY freak. I hated it since LPM introduced it through ZESCO fraudulently collecting it by dubious mean to its eventual transfer to IBA. In the sprit of fair competition, all TV stations in Zambia should have a share of my innocent K5. Damn where is the Competition Commission of Zambia?
Zodwa?
…. my foot.
I have always been skeptical about this TV LEVY freak. I hated it since LPM introduced it through ZESCO fraudulently collecting it by dubious mean to its eventual transfer to IBA. In the sprit of fair competition, all TV stations in Zambia should have a share of my innocent K5. Damn where is the Competition Commission of Zambia?
china is ruling Zambia , lets just declare Zambia as 24th Province of china then the current member of parliament for Hunan be the PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA. Also is it worthy taking this problem to a Full cabinet minister Only to to be told that i will make consultations???? I thought she has to judge the case right their and then so to be a mnister is a simple Job cos. everything u go to attorny general for a solution
Topstar has departed from being a signal distributor. If the minister doesn’t give you what you deserve, migrate to GODTV. Ni competition time manje. After all there is nothing much to be missed in ka topstar decoder
The approach on the issue by the media heads is very good and that is what can termed as dialog, interaction, debate and so on. NOT insults. Am sure a solution can be found. In the same good spirit discourage your followers from insulting innocent people. If you can see a wrong with the distribution of the TV levy, You can also see the wrong in insulting unnecessarily. Take a lesson from what is hapenning with FACEBOOK