HARARE -- There is intense jockeying by individuals and groups in Zimbabwe waiting to apply for radio and television licenses, once/if the inclusive government finally frees the airwaves. (Pictured: Information Minister Webster Shamu)
SW Radio Africa understands that there has been a lot of interest from a cross section of Zimbabweans vying to operate independent radio and TV licenses. The state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation operates the countrys only TV and four radio stations. ?A source told us he has seen many people with links to Zanu (PF) lobbying politburo members to push the broadcasting board to consider their applications. There are as many as 10 groups and a number of individuals vying for the licenses.?? On the other hand, I also know of other groups and individuals who are approaching influential politicians from the MDC on a similar mission, our source said.??
The source added, Anyone can lobby and win the right to operate a radio or TV station, but launching and sustaining the stations is another thing. Its not easy because there is a lot involved so being politically linked to any party when in broadcasting can turn out to be a huge disadvantage. Look at how ZBC-TV is struggling because of its links to Zanu (PF), theyve lost credibility. So if you run an independent TV or radio station, two entities that bank heavily on advertising revenue to survive, you cant afford to marginalize your advertisers and listeners by projecting views of a party they dont particularly associate with, so to survive you have to remain neutral. In a free media world, its either you give a balanced view or you dont belong to that industry.
The former sole ruling Zanu (PF) party has since independence failed to register any new players in the broadcasting sector because of stringent laws that maintain the state monopoly in broadcasting. The global political agreement that ushered in the inclusive government called for a raft of media reforms, including the processing of applications for licences in terms of the Broadcasting Services Act. But civil society organisations and NGOs have criticised the government for the fact that there has been no movement in media reform, as Mugabe and Zanu (PF) fight to maintain their monopoly.
Two months ago there was confusion over the appointment of the new Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe board when Information Minister Webster Shamu announced the new board would be chaired by former Media Information Commission (MIC) chairperson Tafataona Mahoso well known as a media hangman. This clearly indicated that Zanu (PF) were not serious in freeing the electronic media and was shot down by both the MDCs as also unprocedural, because both their principals had not been consulted.
Last month the deputy Minister of Information and Publicity, Jameson Timba, said the country had the capacity to licence an additional four television stations and 94 radio stations, in both urban and rural areas. But many observers doubt that there will be any freeing of the electronic media, or the print media, anytime soon. There are also serious concerns that Zanu (PF) will just go ahead and issue broadcasting licences to those it approves of.
Post published in: News