Rumbidzai Mhlanga
Bulawayo residents overwhelmingly rejected a proposed law that would link ZBC radio licenses to motor vehicle insurance during a public hearing on December 19, 2024, at the Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo.
The Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill, which aims to align Zimbabwe’s broadcasting laws with the 2013 Constitution, has sparked significant opposition, particularly over the clause connecting ZBC radio licenses to ZINARA (Zimbabwe National Road Administration) vehicle insurance.
The hearing, mandated by Section 141 of the Constitution for public input, saw a variety of voices expressing concerns about the bill’s fairness and practicality:
Adington Mpofu, representing the Zimbabwe Creators Network, supported aspects of the bill like language inclusivity and community radio access but was critical of the new licensing proposal.
“While I support the clauses dealing with languages and community radio access, the marriage between ZBC licensing and ZINARA insurance is problematic. It is unfair to make motorists pay for a service they may not even use,” Mpofu stated.
Dominic, another attendee, echoed these sentiments, questioning the logic behind the licensing proposal:
“This approach is supposed to promote fairness, but it targets only motorists. It’s not equitable for everyone, especially those who do not benefit from ZBC radio in the first place,” he argued.
Dennis Ngwenya of YFM in Bulawayo found the linkage between ZBC licensing and vehicle insurance both unfair and illogical:
“It’s like a school withholding exam results over unpaid fees. If someone doesn’t pay, they should still be able to access the services they’re entitled to,” he remarked.
Costa Nkomo highlighted the exclusion of rural communities from ZBC services, advocating for a more equitable approach:
“Why target only motorists when anyone with a mobile phone can access ZBC radio services? This clause unfairly penalizes those in rural areas who might not even have radios in their vehicles,” Nkomo questioned.
He also suggested a subscription model, noting, “In this digital era, why not make ZBC services subscription-based like DSTV? If I subscribe, I should be able to enjoy the content, and if not, I should be locked out of the service.”
Youth also raised their voices in opposition. Vivian Mleya from The Girls Table critiqued the relevance of ZBC content to younger audiences:
“We don’t watch ZBC. It’s outdated and repetitive. We need a platform that reflects our voices and culture,” she said. She further pointed out the impracticality of the license for ex-Japanese cars, which often come without radios:
“Many of the cars around here are ex-Japanese imports that don’t even have radios. How can we be forced to pay for a ZBC license for a service we can’t even access?”
Paidamoyo, another young representative, criticized the bill for lacking inclusivity:
“There’s no space for people with disabilities or young women in content creation. This bill needs reform to ensure all voices are heard. There’s no fairness in forcing us to pay for a service we may not use, especially when the cars we have may not even have radios. The whole idea of tying this to vehicle insurance seems unjust, and I strongly believe this clause should be reconsidered,” she added.
The public’s strong opposition at the Bulawayo hearing suggests that the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill, in its current form, does not serve the interests of all Zimbabweans, and significant revisions might be necessary before it can proceed.
