6th April 2004

Civic groups presented evidence on the delay in the entry of new players in
the broadcasting sector to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on
Transport and Communications. The Committee is investigating the delay by
BAZ to invite and issue licenses to new players in the commercial and
community-broadcasting category. The meeting was held on 5th April 2004 in
Harare.

The groups included the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ), Media
Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)- Zimbabwe Chapter, Radio Dialogue,
Global Arts Trust, Voice of the People Trust and the Zimbabwe Association of
Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS).

The groups' concerns included the following:

1. The Broadcasting Services Act is the source of frustration for
prospective broadcasters, independent producers and the Broadcasting
Authority of Zimbabwe itself. It prohibits foreign funding of new
broadcasters and imposes harsh restrictions for potential broadcasters.

2. The independence of the BAZ is not guaranteed in law. The law requires
the BAZ, the regulatory body, to establish whether there is additional need
for broadcasters. It recommends potential licensees to the Minister, who
himself has made prejudicial statements against prospective community and
commercial radio broadcasters.

3. The subversion of the parliamentary process which has resulted in the
legislature passing laws that hindered freedom of expression and information
such as the Broadcasting Services Act and the Access to Information and
Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

4. There is no clear media policy document to reinforce constitutional
provisions on freedom of expression. As a result, authorities have issued
statements of policy in reaction to events and issues.

5. There is lack of political commitment in allowing new players independent
of Government in the broadcasting sector. Government has not made public
results of its investigations into the harassment independent media houses
and workers, including the bombing of the offices of the VOP Trust on 29th
August 2002.

PIRF is a network of information officers in the Civic Alliance for Social
and Economic Progress (CASEP). CASEP is a coalition of membership-based
organisations in the labour, education, health and media sector.

Presentations made to the Committee are available on request.

Ends

For more information, please contact Sizani Weza, MMPZ, 15 Duthie Avenue,
Alexandra Park, Harare, Tel/fax: +263 4 703702, Mobile: 023 414036, E-mail:
[email protected]

"Any society which does not effectively and honestly inform, engage,include,
consult, develop and empower its citizens is like a hen which feeds on its
eggs"
PAUL BURTON, A BRITISH STATESMAN (1975)