Back to Index

Minister Jonathan Moyo's announcements on the broadcasting industry in Zimbabwe
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
June 26, 2003

MISA-Zimbabwe welcomes the statements made on national television, on Wednesday 25 June 2003 by the Minister of Information and Publicity, Professor Jonathan Moyo. Professor Moyo’s assurances, that his ministry will ensure the entry of new players in the broadcasting industry in Zimbabwe before the end of the year is greatly appreciated.

MISA Zimbabwe however notes that it has been two years since the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) was enacted with the intention of introducing other players in the broadcasting industry. The continued delay in issuing commercial and community broadcasting licences by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) is a cause of concern to MISA-Zimbabwe. We believe it is in the interest of Zimbabwe that alternative voices in the electronic media are created.

The "monopoly" of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation in the broadcasting industry has not been in tandem with the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) which allows the entry of other players into the broadcasting sector nor with the SADC Protocol on Culture Information, and Sport whose Article 18 (4) states, "State parties shall create a political and economic environment conducive to the growth of ethical, diverse and pluralistic media." There is evident need for there to be more television and radio stations in order for the right to freedom of expression as well as information to be fully realised by the people of Zimbabwe.

MISA Zimbabwe is also of the view that the Minister’s assurance cannot be a complete guarantee that Zimbabwe’s airwaves will be free by year-end. This is because under the current BSA, too much power is placed in the hands of the minister to determine through the government appointed BAZ, the allocation of broadcasting licenses and frequencies. Also under the BSA, the duration of broadcasting license issued is short and makes it unsustainable for any serious commercial or community broadcaster. For the airwaves in Zimbabwe to be free there is need for the repealing of the current BSA. It must be replaced by a more democratic broadcasting act that allows for an independent broadcasting regulator that will issue licences and allocate frequencies without undue interference.

Visit the MISA-Zimbabwe fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP