TV monopoly to stay

9 Jan 2012

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) will not be issuing out private television licences any time soon despite mounting pressure to do so, saying its main focus is on meeting the Southern African Development Community (SADC) deadline on the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.

The 15-nation regional bloc, of which Zimbabwe is a member, made a commitment that it will complete the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting by 2013 ahead of the world deadline of 2015.

In its bid to free the airwaves, BAZ last year called out to all prospective broadcasters to apply for two free-to-air commercial radio licences, which were controversially awarded to Zimpapers (Talk Radio) and AB Communications (ZI Radio) out of 14 applicants.

BAZ has been castigated for being biased in the awarding of the two licenses. The matter is now being challenged both in court and parliament, where lawmakers want the decision reversed.

After issuing the two commercial radio licenses, BAZ has gone ahead to invite more applicants for community radio stations to be based in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo, Chinhoyi, Bindura, Gwanda, Marondera, Lupane, Plumtree, Kariba, Victoria Falls and Beitbridge.

The issuing of the radio licenses has left a huge gap in television broadcasting where the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, which operates two television channels, continues to enjoy a monopoly. This is despite the fact that the constitutionality of this dispensation was subject to a successful court challenge by Capital Radio in 2000.

Due to the broadcaster's poor programming and hate speech, many Zimbabweans have resorted to pay per view and free to air channels.

Last year some legislators called for the BAZ board to be dissolved on grounds that it was illegally constituted.

Cabinet also gave information minister, Webster Shamu a directive to regularise the appointment of the BAZ board but the order has been defied.

BAZ chief executive officer, Obert Muganyura, last week dashed any prospects for the opening of the airwaves saying the authority was currently focussed on moving from analogue to digital broadcasting and meeting the 2013 SADC deadline.

"The biggest issue is the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting and meeting the SADC 2013 deadline. On the issue of when we will call for television licences I cannot issue an authoritative decision. I will have to consult with my board", said Muganyura.

According to online dictionary Wikipedia, digital broadcasting is the practice of using digital data rather than analogue waveforms to carry broadcasts over television channels or assigned radio frequency bands. It is becoming increasingly popular for television usage but is having a slower adoption rate for radio.

Source: allAfrica.com