It is now mandatory for motorists to first purchase a radio license before obtaining a vehicle insurance cover or policy unless there is an exemption from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), the government announced yesterday.
This comes after the Cabinet approved amendments to the Broadcast Services Law, including the draft Media Practitioners Law, which seeks to regulate media operations to ensure professional competence in this sector.
Cabinet also approved amendments to the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) Act, which seeks to ensure uniformity in the training of media workers.
In his post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Genevan Musuer, said the proposed media reforms will create a conducive media environment in the country.
He said the changes in the Broadcasting Service Act would force motorists to purchase radio licenses when renewing their car licenses, thus boosting the public broadcaster’s revenue streams.
Dr. Moswer said that the amendments to the Broadcasting Services Law follow those approved in 2019 but have critical gaps that need fine-tuning, including ensuring gender balance in regulating the sector.
“Additional amendments will provide, among other provisions, for the following: ensuring gender balance in the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Board; introducing annual applications for radio frequency spectrum licences; expanding and introducing new definitions under section 38A; and prohibiting the sale of vehicle registration licences,” he said. Or motor vehicle insurance cover or insurance policy for a person without a current radio license or ZBC exemption under Section 38B.”
“In terms of the amended law, the revenue base of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation will be expanded as it will be mandatory for all motorists to obtain a current radio license before disposing of their vehicle or purchasing a vehicle cover or insurance policy.”
Dr Musoire said the amended ZMC Act would, among other things, standardize training in journalism and mass communication in the country to enhance professionalism.
He said a Media Council of Zimbabwe would be established for the purposes of media regulation including ownership, term of office of commissioners and reporting structure.
“Foreign ownership of media services in Zimbabwe will be limited to promoting local content, local business and employment. The Zimbabwe Media Commissioners will serve for a term of five years, renewable once, and the commission will report to the Minister as stipulated in the Constitution,” Dr Musoire said.
He said that the additional principles are the result of broad consultations with players in the media sector, including journalists’ unions.
Dr. Moswer said the Cabinet also approved the Media Practitioners Bill whose aim will be to professionalize media players who determine who becomes a media practitioner.
He said that the law would allow independence and joint organization of media workers.
“It will also allow for the growth and development of the media industry. “We inform the nation that the Media Practitioners Bill seeks to create a legal framework that sets standards for media regulation as set out in Section 249 (3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“This necessitates the establishment of a Zimbabwe Media Professionals Council, which will be responsible for regulating and enforcing professionalism among all media practitioners.”
Dr Musoire said the Media Council would use the authority delegated by the ZMC to discipline its members.
“The Media Council will also deal with conduct and ethics. Media professionals will be elected, and candidates will include from the Editors’ Forum, public media institutions, private media institutions and academic institutions. Announces
