Residents call for setting up of media fund from licensing fees

Sifundiso Ndlovu Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO residents yesterday told the Information and Media Panel of Inquiry (IMPI) that a media fund must be established from licensing fees to stop media’s dependency on donor funds.Participants at IMPI public meeting held at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) said insufficient funding was the major challenge facing the local media industry.

Poor programmes, obsolete equipment, inadequate training and corruption were noted as some of the challenges emanating from lack of funding.

Nust Department of Journalism and Media Studies lecturer Professor Bhekimpilo Sibanda said government should seriously consider establishment of a media fund so that media is divorced from donor funds.

“It’s time for people to seize the initiative and establish a media fund to ensure that media do not depend on funds from the donors and government,” said Sibanda.

He said money from licence fees could be used to establish the fund that would make the general public feel ownership of the media.

A Nust fourth year journalism student Lungile Tshuma said the country must invest in the youths and capacitate them to buy equipment and start their media businesses.

“With funding, youths can start to come up with a variety of programmes because Ztv programmes do not appeal to us,” she said.
Some issues that were raised were the need to look at the media laws and align them to the new constitution.

Media was urged to cater for minorities and disadvantaged groups and community radios was noted as one of the way that may promote minorities’ access to information.

IMPI tour continues in Nkulumane Hall today before moving to Matabeleland South, Maphisa, in the afternoon.