Zimpapers Talk Radio appears before BAZ panel

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) on 20 October 2011 convened the second of its four scheduled public hearings for prospective free-to-air radio licensees with Zimpapers Talk Radio (ZTR) appearing before the panel.

The BAZ panel which was constituted in terms of the Commissions of Inquiry Act and the Broadcasting Services Act section 10 (8) comprised commissioners; Dr. Tafataona Mahoso, Chief Gambiza, Colonel Reuben Mqwayi, Mrs Erica Mususa, Dr Vimbai Chivaura, Dr. Chada, Edward Dube and Eng. Muganyura.
 
Zimpapers Talk Radio was represented by its directors. Its presentation touched on a number of issues ranging from the mission, vision, technical and financial projections of the radio station.
 
However, of contention  was the revelation that Paul Chimedza who is the chairperson of Transmedia  would also double as the chairperson to ZTR, a position that some felt was antithetical to the tenets of corporate governance especially in light of ZTR’s proposed partnership with Transmedia.
 
Another corporate governance question raised was the apparent fact that Delma Lupepe who is one of the directors at ZTR holds a similar position with Seddon Investments, another prospective applicant. The concern was whether this scenario would not potentially lead to a conflict of interest if both applicants were to be granted licences.
 
Commissioner Mususa also queried why there was no board resolution in the ZTR application showing that the Zimpapers board had approved of the plans to expand into the radio broadcasting field.
 
The other issue that was raised was the fact that Transmedia’s infrastructure was failing to service the entire nation. If ZTR were to partner Transmedia then it was necessary for ZTR to explain how it proposed to transmit to those pockets of the country that had no signal.
 
The two remaining public hearings have been scheduled as follows: 25 October 2011- AB Communications, and 27 October 2011- Radio VOP. The hearings start at 09.00hrs.
 
MISA-Zimbabwe is urging members of the public to attend these public hearings to raise so that their own objections and interventions. //End//

Reagan Malumo
Programme Specialist: Media Freedom Monitoring and Research
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Regional Secretariat
21 Johann Albrecht St
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek
Namibia
Phone: +264 61 232 975
Fax: +264 61 248 016
Mobile: +264 81 311 2626
Official Email: reagan(@)misa.org
Private Email: reagan32002(@)yahoo.com

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