By Mubanga Mubanga
Former MultiChoice Zambia general manager and now Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) director general Guntila Muleya says MultiChoice should not be dictated to over the programming the pay TV network offers to subscribers.
Responding to the complaint that was referred to IBA by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), over repeated programming by MultiChoice Zambia, Muleya told Daily Revelation in response to a query, that MultiChoice had a right to broadcast what they wanted, provided they met lBA’s ethical, cultural moral standard.
“We wish to advise that Broadcasters enjoy editorial independence and are at liberty to package their programmes in whatever they deem fit. Provided such programming meets the ethical, cultural moral as set by lBA,” Muleya stated.
On the removal of ZNBC from free to air bouquet by DSTV, Muleya stated that DSTV had their own choice on which business model to come up with, which included removing the national broadcaster from free to air bouquet, if they thought it was not serving their business interest.
He, however, stated that IBA was hopeful that through the efforts of all stakeholders concerned, the matter would addressed.
“While the Authority cannot dictate the business model that a pay-tv entity comes up with and includes the packaging of bouquets, we are hopeful through the efforts of all stakeholders concerned this matter will be addressed,” argued Muleya
The CCPC last week told Daily Revelation that they had referred a complaint against MultiChoice Zambia over repeated programming to IBA.
This followed a complaint from customers who were being made to watch repeated programmes on the DSTV bouquet.
In Nigeria, some citizens took action after MultiChoice increased its subscription prices, citing rising costs and inflation but the move was met with widespread criticism from consumers and regulatory authorities.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja subsequently ordered MultiChoice to revert to its old prices, pending the outcome of a full hearing on the matter
MultiChoice has now complied with the court order, re-adjusting its subscription rates for both DStv and GOtv users.
In picture: Guntila Muleya (r) with other corporate officials
