Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has warned broadcasters against airing unauthorised advertisements for medicines and healing services and said stiff penalties await those who breach the law.
In a statement, BAZ acting Chief Executive Officer Engineer Matthias Chakanyuka said the authority has noted with grave concern the resurgence of advertisements for traditional and herbal medicines, as well as faith-based or spiritual healing services, being aired without approval from the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has noted with grave concern the resurgence of unauthorised advertisements relating to health, particularly traditional and herbal medicines, as well as faith-based or spiritual healing services, on broadcasting platforms,” he said.
Eng Chakanyuka said investigations by the authority revealed that some of the advertisements were being aired without the required approval from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, while many of the claims being made about the effectiveness of the medicines and healing services were unverified.
“Reports further suggest that some consumers have suffered adverse effects and other forms of prejudice after using such products or services,” he said.
Eng Chakanyuka reminded broadcasters that in terms of paragraph 6 of the Fifth Schedule to the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter 12:06], read together with section 23 of the Broadcasting Services (Code of Conduct for Broadcasters) Regulations, 2023, no advertisement relating to any medicine — whether traditional, herbal or conventional — or spiritual and faith-based healing may be aired without proof of approval from the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“This requirement applies equally to all categories of medicines and is not intended to discriminate against traditional healing practitioners. Its purpose is to ensure that all health-related products and services advertised through broadcasting platforms meet national health and safety standards,” he said.
Licensed broadcasting service providers, Eng Chakanyuka said, risk breaching the law if they fail to comply.
“Failure to comply with these regulations constitutes a breach of the law and will result in the full application of statutory penalties,” he said.
Eng Chakanyuka said conventional, traditional and herbal medicine practitioners, as well as faith-based or spiritual healers wishing to advertise must first secure the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Health and Child Care and submit proof to the relevant broadcaster before any advertisement is aired.
The authority, he said, expects broadcasters to exercise due diligence and strictly uphold the law to protect the public and safeguard the integrity of the broadcasting sector.
