Linda Kasonde’s law firm ‘abandons’ Prime TV case

THE Lusaka High Court has allowed former Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Linda Kasonde’s firm to stop acting on behalf of Prime Television Limited in a matter where the television station is challenging the State’s decision to cease all cooperation with it.

This is after LCK Chambers, the law firm belonging to Ms Kasonde informed the court that it had ceased to act for the TV station.

“The application for LCK Chambers to withdraw as advocates for the petitioner is granted. There is no order as to costs,” High Court Judge Catherine Lombe-Phiri said.

In this matter, Prime Television has petitioned the court over the decision of the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Dora Siliya to cease all cooperation with it.

It wants the court to quash the said decision.

Prime TV is also seeking a declaration that the decision is unconstitutional as it violates the television station’s rights as envisaged in article 20 of the constitution.

The private television broadcaster wants a court order that all media houses have the right to access and disseminate information from the government without undue hindrances.

The TV station is also demanding for compensation for loss of business resulting from the decision by Topstar Communications Company Limited to remove it from its bouquet. Prime TV has also sought an order that Topstar and Multichoice cannot remove it from the platforms they manage at the direction of the Attorney General.

It has cited the Attorney General, Topstar and Multichoice as the first, second and third respondents respectively.