Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Home 9 Access to information 9 Shadow Report of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting Services public hearings on the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill H.B 9, 2024

Shadow Report of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting Services public hearings on the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill H.B 9, 2024

6 Mar, 2025
Media freedom advocacy group, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zimbabwe) and its partners in a network of journalistic professional associations and media support organisations, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) participated in all seven (7) public hearings conducted throughout the country to shadow this public process and compile this report to enhance further policy discussions and parliamentary debates on the law.  

 Compiled by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zimbabwe) and the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) 

  1. INTRODUCTION

This report presents key highlights and a summary of submissions made by organisations and members of the public during the parliamentary public hearings on the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill H.B 9 of 2024, hereinafter referred to as the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill.  The public hearings, convened in accordance with Section 141 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, were held nationwide from December 16 to 21, 2024, under the auspices of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.  

The Bill was gazetted on 22 November 2024 to align the law with the Constitution and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31]. Furthermore, the amendments aim to modernise outdated provisions in response to technological advances. 

Media freedom advocacy group, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zimbabwe) and its partners in a network of journalistic professional associations and media support organisations, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) participated in all seven (7) public hearings conducted throughout the country to shadow this public process and compile this report to enhance further policy discussions and parliamentary debates on the law.  

Among the key issues that dominated the submissions by participants in these public hearings was Clause 15 of the amendment, which introduces a new provision amending Section 38 B of the principal Act to prohibit the sale of motor insurance cover to individuals who do not possess Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) radio licences. A significant majority of participants in the public hearings supported this provision. However, broader issues were raised, emphasising the need to safeguard the independence of the regulatory authority, ensure transparency in the issuing and transfer of licences, maintain parliamentary oversight in the appointment process of the authority’s board, engage the public in issuing additional licences to the ZBC, and establish a converged regulatory framework. Furthermore, there were calls for the inclusion of provisions that prohibit multiple ownership of licences as a mechanism to promote media diversity.

Participants expressed support for amendments to Sections 8 and 10 of the Principal Act that would permit up to 40% foreign ownership of broadcasting services and ensure predictability in the issuing of licences, respectively. Provisions promoting gender equality were supported, alongside calls to further include persons with disabilities and young people in the composition of the Board. There was also backing for the expansion of the Broadcasting Fund to encompass the sustainability of community broadcasters.          

Read More or Download the Report

About MISA

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) was founded in 1992. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media.

Share this

Related news

Calls for AI regulatory frameworks 

Calls for AI regulatory frameworks 

Media practitioners and stakeholders have called for policies and regulations that recognise the new realities brought by Artificial Intelligence (AI).  Although the use of generative AI remains nascent in Zimbabwe, stakeholders have raised questions about its...

MISA launches fifth annual state of press freedom report

MISA launches fifth annual state of press freedom report

MISA Regional officially launched the fifth edition of the State of Press Freedom in Southern Africa report on 8 May 2025, a key evidence-based advocacy tool for improving the safety of journalists in the region.   The 2025 report was launched at the belated...