The Zimbabwe Election Support Network, ZESN, a coalition of civic groups, says this would provide voters with information enabling them to make informed choices at the polls.
The sole broadcaster, ZBC, has still not yet set down any rules on direct access and political advertising, less than eight weeks before the crucial joint presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections. Â
ZESN chairman Noel Kututwa said ZBC should offer free airtime and space to political parties to advertise their material because it was a parastatal which survives on public funds.
ZESN has been allowed to flight voter education material on TV and radio and also erected a number of banners, mainly employing outdoor advertising techniques.
However advertising material from the MDC has been rejected by the official Herald newspaper and ZBC.
In the past ZTV has set down what it has called “10 golden rules” for advertising. But this election there is no such a thing.
The system of allocating time and vetting material, according to Kututwa, should be devised by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to prevent the minister in charge of ZBC from being able arbitrarily to award or refuse airtime to political parties.
He recommended that political advertising spending should be regulated to allow for balanced access to the media for all candidates. ZEC should to place a limit on the amount of private advertising allowed for each candidate, to minimise unfair advantage to parties that have extensive campaign funds.
Post published in: News