The Zambia Institute of Independent Media Alliance (ZIIMA) and NAREP have written to Lusaka Police Commissioner Nelson Phiri informing him about their intention to carry out a peaceful protest against the suspension of Prime TV this Friday.

According to separate letters written by ZIIMA president Jajah Coulibaly and NAREP secretary general Ezra Ngulube, Thursday, the protest will be attended by the opposition alliance members, journalists, the Civil Society, Church mother bodies, student unions and the general public who will all carry placards.

The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) recently suspended Prime TV from broadcasting for one month, citing unprofessional elements in its broadcasting.

Coulibaly stated that their proposed peaceful protest would take about three hours and would start from the Freedom Statue at government complex to IBA offices at Mass Media complex.

He stated that about 50 journalists and 20 stakeholders might join the protest, adding that the peaceful protest was open to other institutions that shared the same cause.

“We write to your good office to notify you of our intention to hold a peaceful protest against the closure of Prime television on March 15 from the Freedom Statue at government complex to IBA offices at Mass Media complex. Our proposed peaceful protest is an activity that will take three hours starting from 09 hours and we expect about 50 journalists and have an alliance of about 20 stakeholders that might be willing to join us,” Coulibaly stated.

He stated that ZIIMA would provide its own marshals so that law and order was maintained.

“We shall provide our own marshals so that law and order is maintained and avoid unnecessary security concerns. Being good citizens of this country, we thought to put it in writing so that we fulfill the requirements of the Public Order Act,” Coulibaly stated.

And in another letter, NAREP secretary general Ezra Ngulube stated that the party would also be undertaking a protest against the closure of Prime TV on the same day, March 15.

He added that the protesters would march from Prime TV offices in Kabangwe area using Great North Road, into Cairo Road and then to the office of the Ministry of Information at Government Complex.

Ngulube stated that the protest would be attended by NAREP members, the opposition alliance members, journalists, the Civil Society, Church mother bodies, student unions and the general public.

“The protest will start about 10:00 hours. It will be attended by NAREP members, the opposition alliance members, journalists from various media houses, the Civil Society, Church mother bodies, student unions and the general public. The protesters will carry placards. This notice is given in compliance with section 5 sub section 4 of the public order act chapter 113 of the Laws of Zambia,” stated Ngulube.