New TV stations: New wine in old bottles

Nhau Correspondent
Lack of diversity has been cited as a major concern for the newly licensed television stations, whose ownership is either linked to already existing media houses, Government or the ruling party ZANU PF.

Of the six stations licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) – Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) operates under Government-owned Zimpapers 1980 Ltd, a media conglomerate that runs the biggest newspaper stable and three radio stations.

Another television station, Fairtalk Communications, is partly owned by Rusununguko, a company that operates under Zimbabwe National Army while Rusununguko was also granted another licence.

Channel Zimbabwe has links to former ZBC chief executive Happison Muchechetere, who is fronting for War Veterans. War Veterans are a wing of the ruling party, while Arcacia Media Limited is run by former ZANU PF parliamentary aspirant for Goromonzi South, Sharon Mugabe.

Jester Media is reportedly owned by Associated Press, owners of Daily News and Financial Gazzette.

A similar scenario also played out a few years ago when Government issued radio licences. Zimpapers was licensed to operate Star FM while AB Communications, which is owned by former information minister Super Mandiwanzira was licensed to operate ZiFM Stereo.

The same happened with provincial radio stations as Zimpapers was given the green light to commence operations under Diamond FM (Mutare), Capitalk FM (Harare) and Nyami Nyami FM (Kariba) while AB Communications runs Hevoi FM.

The political leaning and allegiance of the “new” players is easily recognisable through their news coverage and programing.
In a statement, Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe said the lack of diversity is worrying.

“While the decision to licence more television stations is a welcome development, MISA Zimbabwe is worried at the lack of diversity in the granting of the TV licences,” reads the statement.

“The new TV licence holders either already hold print or broadcasting licences or are linked to the Government or the governing party. With this scenario, the country risks having a homogeneity of news and views, an anathema to democracy”.

As BAZ will soon be licensing community radio stations, Misa raised concerns over selection criteria.

“If Zimbabwe is to have a truly diverse media, there is a need for more players from different backgrounds to be granted licences,” reads the statement.

“MISA Zimbabwe notes that the BAZ will soon start the process of licensing community radio stations and is worried that if this trend continues, only players with links to the Government will be granted licences, yet again.

“MISA Zimbabwe, therefore, calls for the genuine liberalisation of the airwaves, where diversity and pluralism are the guiding principles in the granting of licences”. Nhau/Indaba