Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika
INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere yesterday told Senate that the law has always required motorists to obtain licences for car radios, adding that the provisions in the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill that makes it mandatory for them to obtain them first before buying their vehicles licences, were meant to enhance compliance.
Dr Muswere said this during the debate of the BSA Bill that was passed without amendments by the Senate yesterday while responding to concerns raised by legislators.
“In terms of Section 38 of the current Broadcasting Services Act, it is already mandatory for motor vehicle owners to pay for radio licences,” he said.
He added that the current law said no listener shall have in his possession a receiver otherwise than in accordance with the terms and conditions of a licence issued by the ZBC or its agents.
The Minister added that the Constitutional Court had also ruled that ZBC licences were compulsory in a case brought by former Harare West legislator, Ms Jessie Majome and others.
Dr Muswere also said it was also important that the ZBC as a public broadcaster be funded adequately to fulfil its obligations to inform, educate and entertain the public.
“Over the years, due to the financial challenges of the ZBC and the cost of lack of compliance, the national broadcaster did not have capacity to be able to expand their services and also to pay for the content. And I believe this is a very noble clause because it’s already well taken care of in terms of the existing legislation, which is Section 38,” he said.
He also said there were ongoing discussions between his ministry, ZBC and the Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services on the review of licences to ensure they are affordable to the public.
Following its passage yesterday the Bill will be brought before the Parliamentary Legal Committee for review on its constitutionality, before it is transmitted to President Mnangagwa for his signature.
