Community radio stations that broadcast political content will have their licences revoked.
This was said by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana, on Wednesday.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe, Media Professionalism workshop held at a local hotel in Bulawayo.
The workshop was on the launch of the report on media monitoring of the March 26 by-elections presented by Media Monitors Zimbabwe.
The Government has issued licences to 14 community radio stations, seven of which are in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces.
The Broadcasting Services Act stipulates that community radio stations should not broadcast political content.
Mangwana said Zimbabwe should learn from what happened in Kenya where community radio stations incited violence by broadcasting polarising political messages. Said Mangwana:
<blockquote>
That is why we are so particular and we shall keep an eye on the community stations and make sure they stay within their mandate and are used as a vehicle for promoting cohesion rather than divisions.
The communities should come together to say we are dealing with environmental issues, we are dealing with conservation issues and issues like child marriages.
Unfortunately, the law gives authority to the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe permission to deregister those who believe that this is a vehicle for whipping political emotions.
It is the law, community radio stations are not supposed to be putting out there, political content. They are supposed to be dealing with issues of growth and development, and community cohesion among other things.
Zimbabwe is polarised; political issues are put at the height of the totem pole where they are not supposed to be.
Issues should be about community development, unity, our culture, and our way of life as a Zimbabwean people.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/radio-stations-warned-against-political-content/">Chronicle</a></h4>

Pindula News

Mangwana Warns Community Radio Stations Against Political Content

The Herald has reported that the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) is set to withdraw a Clause in the law which requires an applicant of a radio or television licence to disclose political affiliation.
The clause was reportedly approved when exiled former Cabinet Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo was still the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-153371" decoding="async" height="220" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BAZ-TO-REMOVE-A-CLAUSE-FROM-LAW-300x220.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BAZ-TO-REMOVE-A-CLAUSE-FROM-LAW-300x220.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BAZ-TO-REMOVE-A-CLAUSE-FROM-LAW-1024x751.jpg 1024w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BAZ-TO-REMOVE-A-CLAUSE-FROM-LAW-768x563.jpg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BAZ-TO-REMOVE-A-CLAUSE-FROM-LAW-600x440.jpg 600w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BAZ-TO-REMOVE-A-CLAUSE-FROM-LAW.jpg 1200w" width="300"/>
The report comes when BAZ recently issued licences to 6 television stations and 29 radio stations. The clause, for some, affected the objectivity or impartiality of the media which is considered an essential instrument towards attainment or killing of democracy in any society.
The development also comes when Zimbabwe has embarked on the implementation of the much-needed media reforms.
Opposition parties, particularly the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has been blaming state-controlled media, ZBC, of being biased towards the ruling ZANU PF.
Also, most of the ‘independent’ or ‘private-owned’ radio stations in the country are reportedly owned by individuals with strong ties with the ruling ZANU PF. For instance, ZiFM which is owned by ZANU PF legislator for Nyanga South Supa Mandiwanzira.
Media reforms were also recommended by 2018 election observers who said that opposition parties had limited airplay or media coverage making the playing field uneven.
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/HeraldZimbabwe/status/1235520275338481664">The Herald</a>

BAZ To Withdraw Clause Which Requires Radio/TV Licence Seekers To Disclose Political Affiliation

Information and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa has commissioned a studio at the ZBC Pockets Hill for independent producers.
ZBC News reports that Mutsvangwa was full of praise for the state-run broadcaster for ensuring that its competitors have access to facilities that will enable them to play a diverse and critical role in the broadcasting industry.
The publication further reports that the studio has modern technology such as lighting systems that allow up to two production sets with four cameras, good editing suites, good acoustics and multiple video recorders which can be configured to operate in ultra-high definition.
The development comes amidst plans <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/02/04/government-to-establish-10-community-radio-stations-countrywide-report/">by the government to establish 10</a> <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Community_Radio_Stations">community radio stations</a> countrywide in the first quarter of 2020 with <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Binga">Binga,</a> Hwange, Plumtree, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Gwanda">Gwanda</a>, Shamva, Chikombedzi, Chipinge, Nyanga and <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Chimanimani">Chimanimani</a> named as the beneficiaries of the said community radio stations.
Commissioning the studio, the Minister also claimed that efforts were underway to establish at least six independent television channels within the next few months adding that the licensing should be completed before August 2020.
<a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/minister-mutsvangwa-commissions-studio-for-independent-producers-at-zbc/">More: ZBC News</a>

Information Minister Commissions HD Studio For Independent Producers

According to Zanu-PF’s Central Committee report presented by party leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa for adoption at last week’s extraordinary congress, the party’s information department recommended the establishment of radio and television stations.
The report also states that Zanu-PF should urge government to encourage the setting up of community radio stations. The report reads:
<blockquote>The party should seriously consider establishing its own radio and television stations to mitigate against an increasingly hostile independent media. The party should urge government to accelerate the establishment of community radio stations across the country’s provinces. This strategy will provide an additional platform for the party to involve the communities in national and other political developments.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2017/12/zanu-pf-mulls-tv-station/">NewsDay</a>

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