Analysis of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill zimbabwe.misa.org services that make use of the spectrum for licences to provide the broadcasting services or systems specified in the notice. (b) by the repeal of subsection 6 and substitution of the following— “(6) Save for community radio broadcasting services every applicant for a licence to provide a broadcasting service that requires allocation of the frequency spectrum shortlisted in terms of subsection (5) shall be required to attend a public inquiry conducted by the Authority for the purpose of determining his or her or its suitability to be licensed at a time and place to be determined in a written notice to such applicant. The stipulation of a timeframe wherein the Authority is to issue a call for invitations from prospective license holders– at least once a year is progressive. However, the implication of this provision still grants the regulator too much power – no citizen can be licensed without the regulator taking the initiative to grant licences. Considering recent technological advancements and digital migration in the broadcasting sector, the condition stipulated under this section of the BSA, for the Authority to extend invitations to potential broadcasters “subject to the availability of the band spectrum” is now redundant. It could be used as a simple excuse to stall the diversification of the broadcasting sector and should, therefore, be removed. Amendment of Section 10 (6) The requirement for those who want a broadcasting service licence to attend a public inquiry conducted by the authority for the purpose of determining his or her or its suitability to be licensed at a time and place to be determined in a written notice to such applicant” – is problematic. There is no prescribed measurement tool (criteria) for establishing suitability, nor is there a legal requirement for BAZ to publicise candidates’ performance and how the grading would be determined. Consequently, BAZ can easily manipulate the process so that only those favoured by the authorities receive licences. The Act should compel BAZ to publish its criteria, scoring template, and scores for public scrutiny. Amendment to Section 30 Section 30 (“Objects of fund”) of the principal Act is amended by the insertion of a new paragraph after (i) as follows— (j) to promote the establishment and sustenance of community broadcasting services. 7