LUSAKA - KBN TV management has hit back at Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana, accusing him of making unwarranted attacks and threats against the station and two other media houses.
In a statement issued in response to Mr. Kawana's remarks during a press briefing, KBN TV said it was operating lawfully and in compliance with Zambia's broadcasting laws and regulations.
The media house said it had decided to publicly exercise its right to reply after Mr. Kawana allegedly issued threats against its operations without specifying any particular breach of broadcasting regulations.
KBN TV reminded Mr. Kawana that the broadcasting industry is regulated by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), which is mandated to engage broadcasters through established complaint and regulatory procedures.
The station said Mr. Kawana had not identified any provision of the IBA Act or the authority's standard operating procedures that it had allegedly breached.
According to KBN TV, the failure to specify any alleged violation made the Permanent Secretary's remarks appear to be a political threat against independent media organisations.
The station further accused Mr. Kawana of making the work of the IBA more difficult, saying any future regulatory action against the affected media houses could be interpreted as politically motivated if it followed his public statements.
KBN TV also pointed out that it had hosted Mr. Kawana on its prime-time programme State of the Nation the previous evening, providing him with nationwide access at no cost.
The station said it had never denied Mr. Kawana or other Government officials access to its platforms and maintained that the same opportunity was extended to opposition voices.
"Our commitment is to cover everyone and Mr. Kawana should not expect us to only cover the ruling party and blackout divergent views. That we shall not do!" the station said.
KBN TV said it was therefore surprised that Mr. Kawana had publicly criticised its operations shortly after appearing on the station, arguing that he could have raised any concerns directly with management.
The station reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and said it would continue operating as an inclusive media platform that accommodates divergent views in Zambia's multiparty democracy.
Source: KBN TV