By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has hailed his government’s move to license 6 privately owned television stations and 6 language based community radio stations, saying it reveals that his government abides by the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
Section 61 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe declares that every Zimbabwean citizen has a right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media which includes the freedom to seek, receive and communicate ideas and other information.
Mnangagwa’s sentiments were revealed in a statement that was shared by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting on tweeter, which reads:
“The licensing of six privately-owned television stations and six language-based community radio stations is a demonstration of my Government’s commitment to uphold the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media.”
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe issued 6 free-to-air television licenses in November 2020 for the first time since 1980.
However, it has been famously known that the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Authority (ZBC) has been recognized and authorized as the only country’s television channel for 40 years.
Nonetheless, the development to license the so called commercial TV stations has faced a lot of criticism from experts.
Also doubting the move are freedom of expression and media watchdog organizations such as Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) together with other ordinary citizens.
In a statement issued by MISA Zimbabwe in November 2020, the media lobby group indicated their concern on the way government awarded the television licenses.
MISA revealed that the newly licensed players were inclined to the government and this resulted in lack of diversity and pluralism in the media fraternity.
“The decision to license more television stations is a welcome development, MISA Zimbabwe is worried at the lack of diversity in the granting of the TV licenses, reads the MISA statement.
“The new TV license holders either already hold print or broadcasting licenses or are linked to the government or the governing party.”
In addition, MISA regarded the effort as ‘change without change’ pointing out that those who were granted licenses were politically affiliated to the ruling regime.
They also called for a “fair” criteria when it comes to the selection of these players.
“With this scenario, the country risks having a homogeneity of news and views, an anathema to democracy. If Zimbabwe is to have a truly diverse media, there is a need for more players from different backgrounds to be granted licenses.
“MISA Zimbabwe, therefore, calls for the genuine liberalization of the airwaves, where diversity and pluralism are the guiding principles in the granting of licences,” MISA indicated in their statement.
The holders of the TV licenses are Jester Media Services trading as 3K TV, Zimpapers Television Network( ZTN), Army controlled Rusununguko Media trading as NRTV, Acacia Media Group trading as Kumba TV, Fairtalk Communications trading as Ke Yona TV and Channel Dzimbahwe trading as Channel D.
