ZESCO power surge destroys radio station equipment

A Mansa based private radio station has appealed to ZESCO to compensate it for causing damage to Studio equipment comprising seven computers, a 1,000 kilowatt transmitter and Security Cameras which resulted in the radio station being off air for two weeks.

Tuta Radio Manager Jubilee Malambo made the appeal when Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Chishinba Kambwili toured the Station in Mansa.

Mr Malambo said ZESCO has refused to compensate the station by repairing the damaged equipment alleging that the damage was not caused by the power utility firm.

It is alleged that a police officer in Minister’s compound in Mansa where the Station is situated caused the damaged after he directed his worker to cut a tree at his premises which fell on the ZESCO power line that resulted in a power surge and damaged the radio station’s equipment.

Mr Malambo bemoaned the loss of business with MTN and Airtel including other business houses that were advertising on the Station.

He said said other clients were asking for refunds for the adverts which were not broadcast as planned due to the mishap.

And Minister of Information Mr. Kambwili reiterated on the need for media houses to be ethical in their reporting in order to inform, educate and entertain the people with good content.

Mr. Kambwili said media houses should not use their Station for preaching hate speech, insults and tribalism.

He said as Minister in-charge, he would like media houses to remain ethical and adhere to the journalism tenets that go with the profession.

On the damaged equipment, Mr. Kambwili said the Provincial Administration could assist in engaging ZESCO to find out what the ZESCO Act provides on such issues and the policies that take effect in such an event.

The Minister also explained that it was unfortunate that such an incident happened but issues of liability have conditions and call for a lot of negotiations which could lead into litigations.

The minister implored the station to promote unity and not division as he was happy that so far the Station has been working within its perimeters for which the license was granted for it to operate.