HARARE The state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH) formerly known as Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has admitted that it censors music that contains provocative political statements.
This was revealed in a letter to the lawyers of musician Hosiah Chipanga whose latest album, Hero Shoko, has been banned on national radio stations. ? After listening to the six tracks on Hero Shoko we are of the view that some of the tracks contain provocative political statements which we feel is out of place especially during this time of the infancy of the inclusive government, wrote ZBH company secretary Norman Mahori in a letter delivered to Chipangas lawyers, Gutu and Chikowero Attorneys, on Monday. ?
As a public broadcaster, it is our duty to promote harmony in society. We will accord airplay to those tracks which we found to be in order, Mahori added, in the letter dated August 27.
In July, Gutu and Chikowero Attorneys threatened to take legal action against ZBH if they did not lift the ban on Hero Shoko, saying the company was a public broadcaster with monopoly of airwaves in Zimbabwe. ?
In an interview Chipanga welcomed the development, although his music is not yet being played on radio. I have achieved some victory, I am not sure why ZBH does not want songs which have constructive criticism, Chipanga said.
As an artist I sing what I see. The society must listen if it is beneficial. Praise singing does not develop the society. Look at where we are. Everyone is suffering, the outspoken musician said.
The album laden with messages that attack President Robert Mugabes previous ZANU PF administration hit the airwaves for a little while before being pulled off air in May.
In one of the songs, Baba Nkomo, the slim musician questions the failure to accord hero status to the late Ndabaningi Sithole, James Chikerema and Canaan Banana yet they played important roles in Zimbabwes liberation struggle.
And in another song, Nhunzi nechironda (the fly and the wound), the controversial singer attacks ZANU PF party and likens the partys habit of blaming the West for Zimbabwes problems to a wounded person who wastes time chasing after the flies coming to feed on his wound when he is better served by simply getting the festering wound treated.
The ZBH runs Zimbabwes only television and radio stations. The ZBC was initially conceived as a public broadcaster but has over the years been tightly controlled by Mugabes ZANU PF government, which has the final say on senior editorial and managerial appointments.
Even after formation of the unity government between Mugabe and MDC leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara in February, the ZBC has continued to be used as a ZANU PF propaganda mouthpiece, prompting Prime Minister Tsvangirai on Tuesday to complain that the state-owned media had continued to foment hatred and disunity in Zimbabwe.
Post published in: Music