However, the country’s airwaves are still far from being liberalised notwithstanding the attendant
exorbitant fees imposed in the context of the application procedures. For instance the proposed
Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill, outlaws donations for the establishment of community
radios.
In Zambia, next door, they do not outlaw donations towards establishment and sustenance of
community media. In fact, they ensure that their Broadcasting Services Fund services the
development of the community radio stations.
It also limits foreign direct investment to 20%. Given the capital intensive nature of the industry,
and the exorbitant licensing fees, the elites with their deep pockets, will most likely continue to
dominate the sector.
Given the current economic environment, it will be very difficult to raise investment capital
without stimulus support from the investment markets. It is, therefore, very likely that the very
same voices dominating national and provincial radio stations, are going to diversify into the
television broadcasting sector.
Conclusion
While MISA Zimbabwe welcomes the Ministry of Information’s open door policy and
engagements with media stakeholders in its quest to break with the past, the ultimate objective
and outcome should be that of entrenching the pillars of democracy as pledged by President
Emmerson Mnangangwa.
The government should thus live up to the letter and spirit of the Constitution through genuine
and democratic media law and policy reforms in line with regional and international instruments
it is state party to.
In addition, the government should ensure that its proposed cyber security regulations are
informed by the Constitution, the revised principles of the ACHPR Declaration on Freedom of
Expression and Access to Information and the African Declaration on Internet Rights and
Freedoms, among other regional and continental instruments.
The government should unequivocally condemn media freedom violations and take all necessary
steps to ensure the safety and security of journalists by bringing the culprits to book in defence of
media freedom and ultimately citizens’ right to free expression and access to information.
End

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