Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Media Information and Communication Technology, BAZ Chairman Tafataona Mahoso and his Chief Executive Officer, Obert Muganyura, were at pains to defend the status quo saying the continued absence of an independent broadcaster was due to technical challenges.
The officials painted a gloomy picture for television, saying Zimbabwe had not yet moved from the analogue system to digital.
“Everything that is registered under the laws of the country should be regulated and controlled. At the moment BAZ cannot register companies they cannot monitor, if you register then you must be accountable,” said Mahoso.
According to Muganyura existing technology capacity could cater for six radio stations. Already four of the slots have been taken by ZBC.
Last month BAZ, whose board is being challenged by some sectors, invited applications for two commercial radio stations. The officials failed to give a timeframe for licence issuance.
According to Mahoso the government has not provided any capital to the regulatory board, rendering it ineffective.
“Monitoring is a requirement of the law for which we need $3 million,” said Mahoso.
MISA Zimbabwe Advocacy Officer, Thabani Moyo, said the delays by BAZ are being caused by the fact that broadcasting is being politicised.
“They are basing their argument on the premise that broadcasting is a security issue. If they do not have the capacity to monitor then how
were they able to confiscate the Capital Radio Station equipment?” asked Moyo, saying BAZ was being deliberately obstructive to deny people an alternative mass media.
What do the people say?
"Yes content should be regulated but that should not be a reason for denying people alternative voices," – Lameck Moyo, a newspaper vendor.
“Remove Mahoso and company before giving the power to regulate the media. Everyone knows who Mahoso is, he closed many papers and he cannot be given powers to regulate the broadcasting media," – Lovemore Musudire.
“It’s an attempt to prevent the airwaves from being freed, this confirms the fears that were raised earlier that BAZ is not the best agent to lead to new broadcasters,” – Ernest Mudzengi, Media Centre Director.
“We have a lot of young people graduating from journalism school who want to be broadcasters. The media should freed to create employment for our members and enhance the profession,” – Foster Dongozi, Zimbabwe Union of Journalists Secretary General.
“ZBC is boring and we need more players, so that we can have more choice. Because of ZBC we are no longer aware of national events as we mostly watch South African television stations,” – Sandra Mberi, unemployed journalist.
Post published in: News