Analysis of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill zimbabwe.misa.org This process compromises the board’s autonomy, independence, and ability to function effectively as an autonomous entity. In consultation with the Minister, the President retains the prerogative for appointments, leaving the process vulnerable to political interference and manipulation. For the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) to operate independently and free from state authority or undue influence, the appointment procedure and board composition must be conducted transparently and publicly. All qualified candidates should be selected based on merit without involvement from the political leadership of the day. However, the deliberate effort to ensure gender balance in the board’s composition is a commendable and progressive aspect of the process. Amendment to Section 8 Clause Six amends the principal Act Section 8 (“Persons disqualified to be licensed”) “…(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) “controlling interest” means—(a) in relation to the corporate structure of the body corporate—(i) sixty per centum (60%) of the securities in the body corporate; or (ii) sixty per centum (60%) of securities representing all the share capital of the body corporate; or (iii) securities equivalent in value to sixty per centum (60%) of the share capital of the body corporate; or (iv) securities entitling the holders thereof to sixty per centum (60%) of the votes in the affairs of the body corporate. (3) A licence— (a) for a commercial broadcasting service and a subscription broadcasting service shall be issued to a company registered in terms of the Companies and Other Business Entities Act [Chapter 24:31] (b) for a community broadcasting service shall be issued to any person, other than a natural person or a company (unless it is a company limited by guarantee) The old section stipulates that broadcasting licenses must be issued to Zimbabwean nationals, except where the Minister grants exemptions. The proposed amendment aims to permit minority foreign ownership of up to 40% of broadcasting licenses, serving as a strategic measure to promote growth and development within the broadcasting sector. The amendment proposes removing the requirement for the Minister’s approval in licensing individuals. Additionally, it seeks to repeal the mandate that all directors be Zimbabwean citizens, introducing a provision that limits foreign representation on the board to a 5