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Minister grilled on broadcasting licenses
MISA-Zimbabwe
September 12, 2006

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Communications on 11 September 2006 grilled the Acting Minister of Information and Publicity Munyaradzi Mangwana on what steps where being taken to allow the easy entry of private players into the broadcasting sector.

This followed assertions by the Minister that there had been no policy change on the banning of foreign ownership in the broadcasting sector despite recommendations submitted to the Ministry by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).

In his oral evidence before the Committee, Mangwana confirmed that BAZ had submitted proposals on amendments pertaining to the management of the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA). "I told them (BAZ) that there was no change by the government on foreign ownership of licenses," said Mangwana.

He said there appeared to be confusion on the provisions of the Act pertaining to the restrictions on foreign funding. Mangwana said the Act prohibited foreign ownership but did not restrict borrowing of funds.

The BSA among other restrictions bans foreign funding and investment in the otherwise capital intensive broadcasting sector making it almost impossible for private players to set up their own television and radio stations. No private players have been licensed to operate commercial television and radio stations since the enactment of the BSA in 2001.

Committee Chairperson Leo Mugabe, however, insisted that the Act should be amended to create a conducive environment for the entry of private player as there were problems with its management. Mugabe said BAZ should advertise for new applications from prospective broadcasters.

The minister, however, conceded that there was need for a public debate on the Act for a better understanding of its provisions.

Background
In a report tabled before parliament on 1 June 2006, the Committee said BAZ should regularise the BSA’s "stringent" requirements for one to be able to operate a radio or television station for purposes of allowing other players to participate.

In August this year BAZ chairman Pikirayi Deketeke, blamed the Ministry of Information and Publicity for the delays in the issuing of broadcasting licenses to private players and for community radio stations.

He told the weekly Financial Gazette in an interview that BAZ had submitted its recommendations on the enabling amendments to the BSA to the Ministry. Deketeke said the amendments in question would make it much easier for would-be private broadcasters to meet the licensing requirements as opposed to the existing restrictive provisions under the BSA.

He was responding to questions on why they had not met the July 2006 deadline by which the BAZ told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Communications that they would be in a position to call for applications for community broadcasting licenses.

"It becomes difficult if we are to call for applications when we know those eager to apply fail to meet the criteria and requirements," said Deketeke. We have made recommendations for the amendment of the BSA but we have not had any input from the ministry," said Deketeke.

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