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Transformation
of ZBC imperative for true democratic transition in Zimbabwe
MISA-Zimbabwe
September 12, 2008
MISA-Zimbabwe
welcomes the signing of the agreement by Zanu PF and the two Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC) formations as a development that should
usher in a new era of tolerance and diversity of views underpinned
by fundamental reforms that respect the right to freedom of expression
and access to information by citizens.
The media and
most critically radio and television because of their wider reach,
play a critical role in creating the required platform for national
dialogue that will input into the envisaged era of national healing,
stability, harmony, reconciliation and economic development.
MISA-Zimbabwe
is therefore appealing to the incoming inclusive government to prioritise
the transformation of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC)
from a state broadcaster into a truly independent public service
broadcaster (PBS) that serves the citizens objectively and impartially
as a matter of extreme urgency.
The role of
the PBS is that of enhancing the national collective responsibility
of engaging the people of Zimbabwe to actively participate in national
discourse by freely expressing, imparting and accessing information
through the broadcaster irrespective of one's political affiliation,
religion, ethnicity, colour or creed.
The African
Charter on Broadcasting (ACB), which calls for a three-tier system
of broadcasting that includes public service, commercial and community
broadcasting can be used as a benchmark for the enactment of the
enabling legislation and policy formulation. The Charter stipulates
that:
- All formal
powers in the areas of broadcast and telecommunications regulation
should be exercised by public authorities protected against interference,
particularly of a political or economic nature, by, among other
things, an appointments process for members which is open, transparent,
involves the participation of civil society, and is not controlled
by any particular political party.
- All state
and government controlled broadcasters should be transformed into
PSBs, that are accountable to all strata of the people as represented
by an independent board, and that serve the overall public interest,
avoiding one-sided reporting and programming in regard to religion,
political belief, culture, race and gender.
- PSBs should,
like broadcasting and telecommunications regulators, be governed
by bodies which are protected against interference.
- The public
service mandate of PSBs should be clearly defined.
- The editorial
independence of PSBs should be legally guaranteed.
- PSBs should
be adequately funded in a manner that protects them from arbitrary
interference with their budgets.
ZBC should therefore
be run by an independent board which is representative of civil
society, the media, churches, labour and the business community
among others. This will cushion the institution from falling into
the helms of political and economic interests that compromise its
public service mandate.
MISA-Zimbabwe
remains committed to playing its contributive role towards that
eventuality and reiterates its position that an enabling environment
can only be created through:
- An immediate
cessation of the arrest, harassment and torture of all journalists
and media houses reporting on Zimbabwe.
- The granting
of permission to all media houses, (both foreign and local) to
cover the political situation as it unfolds.
- The suspension
and subsequent repealing of all repressive legislation that targets
the media, and in particular, the Access
to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Public
Order and Security Act, the Broadcasting
Services Act and the Interception
of Communications Act. In their place, all media policy should
be guided by the principles outlined in the African Charter on
Human and Peoples Rights, the Windhoek Declaration and the African
Charter on Broadcasting.
- An immediate
conversion of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation from a state
broadcaster into a public broadcaster under the guidelines outlined
in the African Charter on Broadcasting.
Visit
the MISA-Zimbabwe fact
sheet
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