The managing director of Zimbabwe's "private" television station, Joy TV, Tony De Villiers has quit the station allegedly because of the interference of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). Joy TV is leasing a station from ZBC and uses ZBC's signal transmitters. The Daily News reported on 14 May 2002. Tony De Villiers indicated in his resignation letter that recent events have forced him to resign. "With regard to the announcement and the events associated thereto, it is with deep regret that I hereby tender my resignation as a director of Flame Lily Broadcasting limited (Joy TV)," read De Villiers letter.
MISA COMMUNIQUÉ
21 MAY 2002
"PRIVATE" TELEVISION STATION BOSS QUITS
The managing director of Zimbabwe's "private" television station, Joy TV,
Tony De Villiers has quit the station allegedly because of the interference
of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). Joy TV is leasing a station
from ZBC and uses ZBC's signal transmitters. The Daily News reported on 14
May 2002.
Tony De Villiers indicated in his resignation letter that recent events have
forced him to resign.
"With regard to the announcement and the events associated thereto, it is
with deep regret that I herby tender my resignation as a director of Flame
Lily Broadcasting limited (Joy TV)," read De Villiers letter.
Apart from the threat to cancel the lease agreement by the ZBC, Joy TV was
also forced to drop the BBC news bulletin it flighted every day. It is also
alleged by The Daily News that problems started when the major shareholder
of Joy TV, James Makamba launched his talk show "Makamba At Night," which is
said to have "disturbed" the government and ZBC management. Just before the
elections Makamba presented a talk show in which he profiled all the
competing presidential candidates. It is alleged that the government
questioned the granting of airtime to opposition party leader Morgan
Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Makamba is a former
ruling party, Zimbabwe African National Unity-Patriotic Front, Member of
Parliament.
De Villiers who owns the production facilities that are being used by Joy TV
for programming said they would remain at the station's disposal until the
end of May.
"The facilities of my company remain at the disposal of Joy TV operations
until the end of May," said De Villiers.
Joy TV's administration manager Clement Munetsi confirmed that De Villiers
had resigned mentioning that it was related to the station's problems with
the national broadcaster ZBC.
The ZBC announced of its intention to cancel the lease agreement with Joy TV
with effect from 31 May 2002.
Background
Check alert of 29 April 2002.
END
Author
Anonymous (not verified)
