News:Charamba defends Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe's notice to broadcasters issued after last week's stay away

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<vote /> Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Mr George Charamba has defended the letter issued by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) last week instructing broadcasters not report on the stay away that happened on Wednesday (click here for the letter). His comments come at a time when BAZ has been criticised for censoring local media by dictating what they can or cannot broadcast.

Speaking to the government owned Herald newspaper Charamba said,

For that communication, which by the way was done in confidence with licensees, BAZ has come under fire from persons who think that that reminder by BAZ amounts to abridgement of press freedom. In the same vein and spirit, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe that regulates the telecommunications industry, which is BAZ’s equivalent, issued a similar reminder to players in the telecoms industry. As Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, I want to make it abundantly clear that BAZ acted within the four corners of the law, and before ignorant people spout out and display their ignorance, they must familiarise themselves with the laws of the country, in this case, the Broadcasting Services Act and the regulations developed therefrom. More importantly, they must know that the whole world over, the broadcasting media is regulated for very obvious reasons, that its impact on society is immediate as it is dramatic. It is such regulations (that) exist in people who invented both radio and television, not these latter-day Jeremiahs whose only competence is in listening and watching.

Charamba went on to say that the purpose of broadcasting platforms is to educate, inform and entertain.

Read More: The Herald


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